A&E Agenda: Mactoberfest, Isabella Garaffa and Snowmass Wine Festival
Mactoberfest, 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, “Restaurant Row” East Hopkins Ave between Monarch and Mill St.
Attention all mac-and-cheese enthusiasts and aspiring culinary champs. Join the community for the highlight of Mactoberfest — the ultimate mac and cheese showdown. This competition will take place on Saturday where culinary artists will go head-to-head to create the most mouthwatering and innovative mac and cheese dishes. Bring your ID to enjoy cans of beer/seltzer sold by our local Mother Pucker women’s hockey team. Proceeds support the team and travel expenses.
Armed with culinary skills and creativity, the competitors will have two hours to showcase their dish that wows our esteemed VIP judge, the one and only, “Cheese Lady” herself Laura Werlin. @cheezelady on Instagram
“But that’s not all. At Mactoberfest, we believe in the voice of the people. As our VIP judge deliberates, you – the enthusiastic crowd – will have the opportunity to cast your vote. Winners will be announced at the end of the competition. Categories to win are the Judges category and Crowd Favorite,” according to organizers.
The event takes place on “Restaurant Row,” East Hopkins Ave between Monarch and Mill streets. The event is free and open to the public.
Isabella Garaffa live painting and reception, Saturday, Aspen Art Gallery
Isabella Garaffa was born in Asuncion, Paraguay, on March 12, 1984. She now lives and creates her artwork in Snowmass Village, where she has been residing for the last eleven years. Her most treasured childhood memories are directly connected to her strong passion for the wilderness, which is translated throughout her artwork in very intense detail.
Her artwork is characterized by a contemporary approach with a twist of realism and imagination at the same time. Her work has being featured in the Aspen Peak Magazine, the front cover of the Aspen Times and the local TV channel. She is well known for her live paintings as well, where she is able to create entire paintings in front of a live audience in anywhere between ten minutes to 160 minutes. She has also collaborated with organizations around the Roaring fork valley to help raise funds for the community as well as with private companies. She has participated in the past in the Aspen Art Festival, the Aspen Plain Air festival, the Aspen Art Battle competition, the Breckenridge Art Fair and the Jackalope Art Fair in Denver.
On Saturday Garaffa will be live painting in front of Aspen Art Gallery followed by a cocktail reception from 6 to 8 p.m.
Snowmass Wine Festival Grand tasting, 1:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Snowmass Village
The Rotary Club of Snowmass Village and its partners are hosting the 2024 Snowmass Wine Festival this weekend.
The Grand Tasting takes place Saturday afternoon from 1:30 to 5 p.m,. bringing together a beautiful venue, music, cuisines from local restaurants, and of course, lots of wine and spirits. Whether you are an avid wine aficionado or someone who enjoys a glass from time to time, there’s something for every attendee to enjoy.
Tickets on sale now! Click here to read more about the schedule of events.
When you buy tickets for the Snowmass Wine Festival, 100% of every dollar benefits local non-profit organizations across the Roaring Fork Valley and charitable organizations worldwide.
74th Wintersköl Slogan Contest is now open, deadline is Friday
Chilly mornings, leaves starting to turn, pumpkin spice-flavored everything, and the return of the Wintersköl slogan contest – all the telltale signs that winter is around the corner.
The Aspen Chamber Resort Association is on the hunt for the 74th Wintersköl Slogan. Not only will the winning slogan be used and posted throughout this December’s event, but the winner will also score a pass to the 2025 FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen.
The deadline to enter is this Friday, Sept. 13 at 5 p.m. Entry details can be found at aspenchamber.org.
Sarah Girgis is the Arts and Entertainment Editor for The Aspen Times. She can be reached at 970-429-9151 or sgirgis@aspentimes.com.
Aspen, El Jebel City Markets get facelifts
If you have shopped at either the El Jebel and Aspen City Markets recently, you may have noticed a change or two.
