At the end of the fall equinox there are numerous Oktoberfests and Thanksgiving celebrations – The Sopris Sun

When the temperatures cool and the leaves turn gold, something triggers something in our collective consciousness. It's more than just a craving for root and pumpkin vegetables and sweet spices in hot drinks. It's the instinct to come together and celebrate community, art, music and seasonal cuisine.

This is not just rhetoric. Almost every culture, modern or historical, has ritual holidays when plants begin to enter hibernation. From the Celtic Mabon festival to the Norwegian Haustblot to Central American sweating ceremonies, people like to mark the changing of the seasons by gathering, sharing food and making things. There will be numerous events in the Roaring Fork Valley and the wider Western Slope over the next three weeks.

Vinotok, 15-21. September, Crested Butte

For those willing to travel to the south side of the Elks, Crested Butte's Vinotok Festival is in its 40th year. The week-long event began last Sunday, but the biggest moments will take place on September 20th and 21st. There will be a festival and medieval fair on Friday afternoon and evening, with tickets priced at $10 for general admission and $35 for the festival. Saturday events are completely free. There are street theater performances starting at 5 p.m., culminating in the Burning of the Grump at 8 p.m. Actors portray archetypal characters, and participants have the opportunity to banish grievances and negativity and increase gratitude with the Grump's Campfire Offering, a troll-like effigy.

Mountain Harvest Festival, 27-29. September, Paonia

Across McClure Pass, the 24th annual Paonia Mountain Harvest Festival highlights art, music, wine, cider and theater. A costume parade will take place from the city park on Friday. The Paonia Public Library hosts a book sale on Fridays and Saturdays. Local musicians perform every afternoon. There is a separate creative zone for children in the city park on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons. This popular event celebrates West Elks creatives and agricultural artisans while also saying goodbye to summer.

Autumn Festival, 28th-29th September, Elk Camp

From 12:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., Aspen Snowmass celebrates its final weekend of summer with family-friendly activities and live music at the top of the Elk Camp gondola. The events are free for children under 6 years of age, while older children and adults without a season ski pass cost a sightseeing ticket. In addition to seasonal food and drinks, there will also be make-up stations.

Glenwood Caverns Oktoberfest, Saturdays September 28th, October 5th, October 12th

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park takes a different approach, offering beer and music on three consecutive Saturdays. In addition to normal park operations, the park will feature a variety of fall-themed contests, German food and souvenirs. The entrance fee is a standard gondola ticket. Since the festival runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., this is a great way to complement your visit to the caves and park.

Harvest Party, Saturday, October 5, Rock Bottom Ranch

The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies' Rock Bottom Ranch near Willits will host its annual fall celebration from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are two harvest sessions during the day for those who want to actually get into the ground and help collect pumpkin and other fruits. Tickets, $15 per person, include hayrides, arts and crafts, dancing, apple pressing and pumpkin carving. Additional food and drinks are available for purchase. Parking is not available on site. ACES instead encourages participants to bike or take the shuttle from Emma or Basalt.

Applefest, 4th–6th October, Cedaredge

A trip to Cedaredge may be a bit of a drive, but it's a nice reward. Like the Paonia celebration the weekend before, Applefest focuses on community, art, food and more. The festival begins Friday morning with a golf tournament and an afternoon bike ride before the Five Alarm Chili Cook-Off. Saturday literally begins with a five-kilometer race ahead of a day of crafts, community games and live music from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday is quieter; Vendors and artisans will still be open in town, but there will be live music between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Those looking for lively fall sightseeing can take part in the 40-mile road bike tour.

Potato Day, March 3-6 October, Carbondale

And finally, the celebration returns to Carbondale in October. The Potato Day celebration will last three and a half days and begin with a screening of “Red Stallion in the Rockies,” filmed on location 75 years ago, at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Carbondale Library. A very special first Friday ensures that the celebration continues. For $20 per person, party guests can attend the Barn Dance at the Recreation Center between 6 and 8 p.m. and enjoy additional live music until 11 p.m. Meanwhile, the first homecoming varsity football game in years will take place that same evening at 7 p.m.

October 5th is Potato Day itself. People can start the day with the Tater Trot run and a pancake breakfast before the Potato Parade at 10:30 a.m. Afterwards there will be games and live music in Sopris Park until 3 p.m. The traditional community meal is served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. On Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. there is youth gymkhana at the Rodeo Grounds or the Aspen Valley Land Trust party at the pasture at Coffman Ranch. Don't forget your potatoes.

In the past, the Kirstie Ennis Foundation hosted Oktoberfest at Sunlight Mountain Resort. At the time of publication, there is no indication that this will happen this year.