Beer and bikes aren’t usually a good mix. But at Parker’s Oktoberfest Saturday, it’s practically the whole point.
In true Colorado fashion, the traditional German festival of brews and bratwurst – Parker’s first – gets paired with an official USA Cycling championship race.
It was an easy compromise for the town of Parker and the Parker Arts Council, which started the push for an Oktoberfest, said Peggy Rolston, a member of the Arts Council and the event’s coordinator.
“(We) wanted to do an Oktoberfest last year, and it happened to be on the same day as the bike race,” she said. “Then this year we wanted to do an Oktoberfest again … (and) the town of Parker said, ‘Why don’t you make the two events combined?”‘
The Parker Twilight Criterium race, which last year drew 600 cyclists, will speed through downtown Parker while spectators enjoy their strudel and pretzels in the O’Brien Park parking lot, 10795 Victorian Drive.
“This year we’ll have food, entertainment and children’s activities,” Rolston said. “Together we could have a pretty spectacular day for everyone.”
There will be a biergarten, of course, to beat the heat. The Continentals and The Average German Band will bring the oompah, and the BSGTEV D’Miesbacher Oimatler group is slated to perform traditional Bavarian dances. Colorado Rapids player Stephen Keel will be in attendance to sign autographs, too – an appropriate move given the Germans’ love of soccer.
Oktoberfest originated in Munich as a celebration of the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese in October 1810. The whole city was invited to a party for the newlyweds, concluding in horse races for the royal family.
Now the horse races and the royal family are gone, leaving the real reason to celebrate: beer. And all the other great things about Germany, too.
Parker’s Oktoberfest begins Saturday at 1 p.m. and closes at 8 p.m. The bike race starts at 2:30 p.m. Admission is free.
If the Parker party won’t work, wash last year’s mustard out of the lederhosen and visit one of the state’s many Oktoberfest celebrations:
Boulder: The Fall Festival returns, combining the beer and brats of Oktoberfest with the family fun of a street fair. Wendy Woo, Hazel Miller and Felonius Smith are among the acts slated to perform. The festival runs on Pearl Street between 11th and 14th streets from 5-10 p.m. Oct. 5, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Oct. 6 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 7.
Breckenridge: Breck celebrates its 13th Oktoberfest Saturday and Sunday. All the traditional offerings will be available along Main Street between the 100 and 200 blocks. The street party goes from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Wait, there’s more: A special Oktoberfest 5K begins downtown at 10 a.m. Saturday – perfect for working up an appetite for sausage.
Carbondale: Yodels will echo off Mount Sopris during Carbondale’s Oktoberfest, all day Oct. 13 on Main Street.
Castle Rock: Food, beer and entertainment on Wilcox Square, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Oct. 6.
Denver: In its 38th year, Denver’s Oktoberfest is pulling up stakes and moving to a bigger location. After years on Larimer Square, the fest is moving a few blocks uptown to Larimer Street between 20th and 22nd Streets. The beer will flow for two weekends, Sept. 21-23 and Oct. 5-7. Hours are 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Fridays, 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Saturdays and noon-6 p.m. Sunday.
Erie: Beer, sausage and giant turkey legs downtown, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Oct. 6.
Greeley: New this year is an “Oktober-prefest” beginning at 7 p.m. Sept. 28 in Lincoln Park. It’s a smaller version of the next day’s activities – plus “lifesize beer pong.” The real deal begins at 11 a.m. Sept. 29 with craft vendors, entertainment and a kids area.
Highlands Ranch: The German beers start flowing at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Town Center, 9288 Dorchester St. Music by Helmut Fricker and the Rhinelanders, and Peter Kron will set the oompah mood. Dachshund Races at 3 p.m. (Registration begins at 2:30 p.m.). The festival runs until 10 p.m.
Ouray: The drawing for the 43rd Annual Jeep Raffle highlights Ouray’s Oktoberfest on Oct. 6 at the Ouray Community Center, 320 Sixth Ave.
