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This weekend in Vail: a doggie Quinceañera, a pumpkin patch and lifts closing

Celebrate fall with concerts, football watch parties, leaf peeping and more this weekend

Minturn Hometown Throwdown

Head to Minturn this Saturday for the 4th annual Minturn Hometown Throwdown, a celebration of the end of summer and a kickoff to fall. This full day celebration showcases local musicians at various venues throughout the town. The free event goes from 2 to 9 p.m. but the concerts are being held at staggered times so you can catch multiple performances.

The Agora:

  • 2 – 3 p.m. – Jen Mack  
  • 6 – 7 p.m. – Tom Rushlow

Kirby Cosmo’s BBQ Bar:



  • 4 – 5:30 p.m. – Tim & Kristine Duo
  • 8 – 9:30 p.m.-Jam session (Local’s jam)

Minturn Saloon:

  • 5 – 6:30 p.m. – Ghost Horse
  • 7 – 8:30 p.m. – Hardscrabble

Little Beach Park Amphitheater:

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  • 3:15 p.m. – BombaShack Trio
  • 4:45 p.m. – The Turntable Review
  • 6 p.m. – Pinheads

A couple of things to note, it’s BYOB (no glass) at the Little Beach Park Amphitheater venue, so bring picnics, blankets and low camp chairs if you have them. For the Agora stage, you may purchase food and beverage there or you may bring to-go from surrounding Minturn restaurants. For Kirby Cosmo’s BBQ Bar and the Minturn Saloon, all food and beverage must be purchased on site.

This event is sponsored by the town of Minturn and produced by the Minturn Community Fund. For more information, go to the Events Calendar at Minturn.org.

Musician Karm Trygg, left, poses with Rocky Mountain Taco co-founder Dan Purtell and mascot Stella at the Minturn location.
Rocky Mountain Taco/Courtesy photo

While you’re in Minturn, stop by Rocky Mountain Taco. If you know Rocky Mountain Taco, you probably know Stella, the Aussie/cocker spaniel mix who also acts as the mascot, taco quality control and socialite of the brand. You’ve seen her in Rocky Mountain Taco’s ads, website, stickers and business cards. Well, Stella is turning 15, so, naturally a Quinceañera was in order.

At 2:30 p.m. on Saturday you’ll hear the mariachi band play before Karm Trygg takes over the microphone, playing some indie rock, covers and maybe a little “Happy Birthday.” There will also be a free keg of beer from Modelo and free Flybird margaritas while they last. No gifts, please, as Stella will be giving out gifts. She will have treats for her furry friends and tons of Rocky Mountain Taco merchandise and even a snowboard will be up for grabs. Rocky Mountain Taco in Minturn will be open from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. but the party will go until about 6:30 p.m., so make sure you stop by and see Stella in between the Hometown Throwdown performances.  

Underground Sound

Miles Miller plays the next Underground Sound concert at the Vilar Performing Arts Center this Saturday.
Vilar Performing Arts Center/Courtesy photo

The Underground Sound concert series continues on Saturday night at the Vilar Performing Arts Center. Dubbed the “Love for the Locals” concert series, the goal of Underground Sound is to introduce Eagle County residents to amazing, emerging artists across a wide range of musical styles. Someday you may even say, “I saw them way back when they were starting out and now they’ve made it big,” about a particular artist. And the price is right. Average ticket prices run about $25 to $45 for each show.   

This weekend’s musician is Miles Miller. If you follow the Americana, Bluegrass or country music scene, you may have already heard of this Kentucky native who draws inspiration from Keith Whitley, James Taylor, Levon Helm, Jackson Browne and Ralph Stanley. If you like the sounds of Jason Isbell, Tyler Childers and Brothers Osborne, you’ll probably like Miles Miller.

Miller got his start playing in the marching, symphonic and jazz band at Woodford County High School in Versailles, KY. Although drums were his first passion — he was actually discovered in 2009 on YouTube playing drum covers at the age of 16 — singing and playing guitar have now come into the spotlight.

After Miller makes a stop in Beaver Creek, he’ll continue on a tour throughout the Midwest and return to his home state of Kentucky for a few more shows. Miller’s debut album, “Solid Gold” just came out in July. See this up-and-coming artist on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Vilar Performing Arts Center.

There are three more shows in the Underground Sound series: Madeline Hawthorne on Oct. 12, Alfredo Rodriquez and Richard Bona on Oct. 14 and Darlingside on Oct. 21. For more information and to get tickets, visit VilarPAC.org.

Pumpkin patch

Check out the Pumpkin Patch at Brush Creek Park and Pavilion in Eagle Ranch this Sunday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Paul Kapischka/Unsplash

Fall is in the air and it’s time to get your pumpkins! Whether you are using them to decorate your home, need them for a pumpkin carving party or want to bake or cook using them, here’s a great place to get them while supporting Cub Scout Pack 229 and the Eagle Ranch Community Gardens.

Come early for the best pumpkin selection and stay for the fun and games. There will be lawn games, bouncy houses and a climbing wall from Eagle Climbing and Fitness. There will also be face painting by Lenka and art projects by Dewey Dabbles. Eagle County First Responders will also be there with some of their impressive vehicles. If you get hungry, hot dogs will be piping hot and there’s also a bake sale.

Sponsored by the Eagle Ranch Homeowners Association and town of Eagle, this fall festival will be held at Brush Creek Park and Pavilion from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, rain or shine.

Football watch parties

After your hike or bike ride, sit down and watch your favorite football teams at area restaurants.
Dave Adamso/Unsplash

Maybe you’re up here to see the fall colors, but what you really want to do is see the score of the game or sit back and root for your home team. The Vail Valley has plenty of bars and restaurants with TVs to keep you connected to the action. Here are a few places to go and watch college and NFL football games.

Cucina at the Lodge at Vail

The Cucina at the Lodge at Vail has become known for its hearty breakfast buffet and lively après ski scene with area bands rocking into the evening, but this spacious bar and restaurant has room for football fans, too. Check out Cucina’s tailgate-inspired menu and drink specials on Thursdays and Sundays. Doors open at 4 p.m. and kickoff is around 6:15 p.m. Cucina’s main menu and full bar offerings are still available during the game, too, giving you plenty of options to feed your group. Wear your team’s colors and get ready to cheer them on. The sound will be on for the main games.


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Chasing Rabbits at Solaris

Chasing Rabbits isn’t just a place to do some late-night dancing, it’s also a great place to watch the game. Go down the Rabbit Hole and watch your team play on the best screens in Vail. Enjoy bites like Red Bird chicken wing drumettes, duck confit quesadillas and sriracha sweet potato hummus. Wash it down with draft beers like the River North Belgian-style white ale, Melvin Brewing hazy IPA or the Upslope Japanese lager. Craft cocktails and wine by the glass will be offered, too. The kids can always play arcade games if they aren’t watching the action on the turf. Game day at the Rabbit Hole happens on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays from 5 to 10 p.m.

Leonora at The Sebastian

When you think of Leonora at The Sebastian Vail you may only think of its internationally inspired cuisine and its cool ambiance tucked away in the hotel and that fabulous wine tower in the middle of the restaurant, but on game days, go next door to the restaurant and hang at the The Leonora Lounge. All throughout football season, check out the exclusive game day specials menu that will be available on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Mondays and Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m.  

Last weekend for lifts

The Eagle Bahn Gondola (No. 19) and Gondola One (No. 1) will close for the summer season this Sunday.
Chris Dillmann/Vail Daily

You know it’s fall when lift access to the mountain ceases while the resort prepares for the winter. This Sunday marks the last time you can ride Gondola One (No. 1) in Vail Village and the Eagle Bahn Gondola (No. 19) in Lionshead. Vail Mountain will open for the 2023-24 season. The lifts will run Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The fall colors are really starting to pop right now and the lifts will give you a great vantage point to do some leaf peeping. Ride the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster, the kids’ zip line or summer tubing. Climb up the Berry Picker Trail and then traverse over to Mid Vail via the Fireweed Trail and take Gondola One down after having lunch at the Mid Vail Grill.

If you have your Epic Pass for the upcoming snowsports season, you can hop on the lifts now using your pass. The unlimited, unrestricted Epic Pass is on sale for $949. The Epic Local Pass has a few restrictions and is on sale for $705. There are other passes available for you and your family’s skiing and riding needs and there’s even a quiz you can take to see what pass is right for you. Please note that prices will go up on Oct. 11.

Beaver Creek closed the Centennial Express (No. 6) last Sunday and the resort will open on Nov. 22 with its traditional Opening Day activity, the World Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Competition. For more information on opening dates for other Vail Resorts’ properties and for Epic Pass information, go to EpicPass.com.


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