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The best bets this weekend for people in the Durango area include the Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering Friday through Sunday and Oktoberfest 2017 on Saturday at Purgatory Resort.
The Durango Cowboy Gathering is a nonprofit that works to preserve and continue traditions of ranchers in the American West. It serves as the symbolic campfire that Westerners can gather around to share their interests. Some of the events this weekend include:
Friday: poets in the community, cowboy poet train ride, cowboy poet horseback trail ride, Western art gallery exhibits and two evening performances at the Henry Strater Theatre, 699 Main Ave.Saturday: cowboy chuck-wagon breakfast at the railroad depot, cowboy parade on Main Avenue, cowboy poetry, music, storytelling, cowboy comedy revue, Western heritage tribute and two evening performances at the Strater Theatre.Sunday: “A Cowboy and His Creator” with Sam Noble and Sunday brunch.Event proceeds support the annual gathering and youth programs.
For more information, visit www.durangocowboygathering.org.
Oktoberfest 2017, a family-friendly local beer festival, will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Purgatory Resort, 1 Skier Place. Attendees can sip beer, enjoy live entertainment from local musicians Diabolical Sound Platoon, Radio Voyeur and Fünf Musikmenschen and indulge in food, games and fun. Beer from Ska Brewing Co., Steamworks Brewing Co., Carver Brewing Co., Durango Brewing Co., Animas Brewing Co. and Brew Pub and Kitchen will be featured.
For more information, visit www.oktoberfestdurango.com.
Early Childhood Care: Not Just for Kids, 8:30 a.m., $40, Durango Public Library, 1900 East Third Ave.
Solar Gods and Goddesses FUN-Raiser with The Pete Giuliani Band, 6 p.m., $15, Durango Arts Center, 802 East Second Ave.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Colorado third annual Suitcase Party, 6 p.m., $50, Av Flight Private Hangar, 1340 Airport Road.
Manhattan Short Film Festival, 7:30 p.m., $15, Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Drive.
La Plata County Democrats hosts meet-and-greet for gubernatorial candidate Noel Ginsburg, 9:30 a.m., La Plata Democrats Party Headquarters, 1911 Main Ave.
Solar Home Tour, 10 a.m., $10, Durango area, 259-1916.
Manhattan Short Film Festival, 7 p.m., $15, Sunflower Theater, 8 E. Main St., Cortez.
Peanuts Great Pumpkin Patch Express, 11:30 a.m., $35-$49, Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, 479 Main Ave.
