What not to miss in Aspen Snowmass this month
By the JMD Interior Design Team
Where did the summer go? It turned into fall! One of our favorite seasons in the beautiful Roaring Fork Valley, fall brings golden aspen leaves, stretches of still-warm Indian Summer days and the anticipation of winter. It also brings festivals and events that send our creativity soaring. Here are a few of our interior designers’ favorite picks.
Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Experience, Sept. 3-5
Snowmass Village Town Park turns into concert central for three days of top tunes and entertainment. Acts on the Main Stage include Kings of Leon, Gary Clark, Jr., Eric Church, Sheryl Crow, Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band, Maren Morris and Yola. Single– or three-day passes as well as VIP Tickets are available. General admission means bring a chair or blanket and grab a seat on the open field in front of the stage. Be sure to check out the Vendor Village for a brew and a bite. (Covid protocols are in place.) jazzaspensnowmass.org
Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, September 10-12
It’s too late to get a pass to the 38th annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be tons of opportunities to nibble and sip your way around town. Keep your eyes open and you’re sure to catch a glimpse of celebrity chefs, including Andrew Zimmern, Guy Fieri and Martha Stewart. Thursday-Saturday, Classic chefs are teaming up with local Aspen restaurant chefs for the Food & Wine Classic Dine Around. Check out Casa Tua, Meat & Cheese, Dante at Chef’s Club and Prospect at Hotel Jerome, among others. classic.foodandwine.com.
Snowmass Balloon Festival, September 10-12
Look! Up in the sky! Opportunities abound to experience dozens of colorful hot air balloons soaring over Snowmass and down the Roaring Fork Valley, during the 46th annual Snowmass Balloon Festival. Balloons are visible from just about everywhere in Snowmass as they float high overhead. But seasoned festival-goers share that the absolute best spot to catch an up-close view is from Town Park, where they take off from bright and early each morning. Spectators are encouraged to drive in, hike up or bike around to take in the sights and sounds of the morning balloon launches, which take place 7:00a.m.-9a.m. each day. Dress warm and grab a coffee at Gitsie’s coffee and provisions food truck. gosnowmass.com
Aspen Filmfest, September 21-26
Movie buffs rejoice! Some of the most exciting and engaging films from this year’s premier festivals will be showcased this year at Aspen Film’s 42nd annual Filmfest. In-person screenings will take place at Aspen’s Wheeler Opera House and Metropolitan’s Isis Theatre, as well as at the Crystal Theatre in Carbondale. Tickets and passes go on sale on Tuesday, September 14. (Covid protocols are in place for film screenings.) aspenfilm.org
Additional events this month include the Motherlode Volleyball Classic (Sept. 1-6), Grand Traverse Mountain Run & Mountain Bike (Sept.4-5), Snowmass Wine Festival (Sept. 18), and Ruggerfest 53 (Sept. 23-26).