Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is once again celebrating the harvest season with a month-long, family-friendly Octoberfest. From Oct. 1 through 31, daily fun at the mountaintop theme park includes a pumpkin patch, fall photo opportunities, and Octoberfest food and drink specials. There’s even more fun on Saturday, Oct. 12, and Saturday, Oct. 19, with hayrides, games for kids, face painting, and pumpkin decorating and an oompah band. There are additional activities for adults this year with stein-holding contests, keg bowling and a beer garden.
“October is one of our favorite months at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. Our guests can enjoy traditional harvest season activities, Octoberfest favorites, changing colors and beautiful fall weather,” Nancy Heard, general manager for the park, said. “We’ve added some new things this year as well, including a beer garden, a stein-holding contest and keg bowling on Oct. 12 and 19. Plus, the crowds are smaller here and in Glenwood Springs this time of year, and our new gondola whisks you up and down the mountain in no time.”
Daily Activities in October
Every day in October is special at the park with a pumpkin patch, a deal at just $3 each, and fall photo opportunities. In addition to the colorful maple trees and flowers in the plaza, the park features several vantage points with panoramic views of the changing colors in Glenwood Canyon and the Roaring Fork Valley. The gondola, Lookout Grille, Mine Wheel and viewing decks at the Giant Canyon Swing and above the restaurant are some of the best places for leaf peeping and photos.
The Lookout Grille serves autumn favorites all month, including bratwursts and sauerkraut, pretzels, seasonal beers, spiked apple cider and festive fall drinks for kids. The popular Bloody Mary Bar is open and stocked with dozens of garnishes so that guests can create their own creative concoctions. The General Store adds a seasonal favorite, pumpkin, to its selection of homemade fudge flavors and features fudge-covered apples as well.
All of the park’s rides are open through the end of the month, weather permitting. Halloween-themed decorations lead guests on the trails to the ride, while spooky music sets the tone for a ghostly, one-of-a-kind experience for those who dare to drop.
Saturday Oct. 12, and Saturday, Oct. 19
In addition to everything listed above, the park is pulling out all the stops on Saturday, Oct. 12, and Saturday, Oct. 19, from noon to 6 p.m., with more options than ever. For families with young children, there are hayrides, games for kids, face painting, pumpkin decorating and live music. Everyone can take home free, fall-themed souvenir photos from the AIRi Photo Booth.
For adults, beer is the name of the game this year with three new ways to enjoy it. A beer garden located in The Fort features Samuel Adams Octoberfest and a selection of seasonal brews along with bratwursts cooked on the grill, sauerkraut, Bavarian pretzels, popcorn and roasted nuts. Two local teams are making special appearances to pour the beer: the 10th Mountain Roller Dolls roller derby team on Oct. 12 and the Defiance Rugby Team on Oct. 19. In addition, stein-holding contests test competitors’ strength, and keg bowling is barrels of fun.
Polka dancing and lederhosen take center stage in the plaza from noon to 4 p.m. as local band Alpine Echo entertains festivalgoers. The band features John Levin on drums, bass and vocals; John Pataky on accordion, drums and vocals; Joe Pologar on horns and vocals; Charles Smith on lead guitar and vocals; and Gerhard Rill on strings, keyboards, accordion, horns, drums, bells and vocals.
Face painting, kids’ games and hayrides are included with admission; pumpkins are just $3 each. Regular admission rates apply. Gondola rides cost $19 for adults and $14 for kids. Funday Passes, which include the gondola ride, cave tours and unlimited turns on all open rides, cost $58 for adults and $53 for kids 3 to 12.
