Gourmet on Gore is back for its annual celebration of all things food and beverage related, with festivities kicking off Friday (Sep 1), and running through Labor Day weekend through Monday (Sep 4). In addition to scores of venues sampling gourmet bites and sips, this year's festival includes lots of new on-the-go activities in and out of town to help you offset the caloric intake with a bit of exercise.

What's new?

A whole new lineup of "Gourmet, Let's Go!" events, which pair food and wine sampling with some outdoor fun. Including:

Community Yoga at Solaris; Saturday, Sep 2, 9 a.m., Solaris, Vail Village

Saturday morning kicks off with a complimentary yoga class on the lawn at the Solaris complex in Vail Village, with gourmet snacks and beverages provided by the festival after you're finishing with your flow. Free, but space is limited, so arrive early to secure your place.

Culinary Cruisers; Sep 2, 10 a.m., Venture Sports, Vail Village

Cruise around town on two wheels, or burn extra calories with a tour up Vail Pass, with bike rentals provided by Venture Sports, or BYOBike. Rides conclude at the open-air tasting, where participants will receive Gourmet Dollars towards a custom lunch.  $20, plus bike rental. 

Trail to Table; Sunday, Sep 3, 10 a.m., Express Lift, Vail Village

Start the morning with an on-mountain hike through wildflowers and aspens, before heading back down the village for an awaiting slopeside gourmet lunch. $20.

Do I need tickets?

If you're content to merely feast with your eyes, no. But if you want to taste, yes. The open air tasting that spans the village is accessible without tickets, although you'll need to pick up Gourmet Dollars from one of the on-site booths if you want to sample the goods. Certain "Gourmet, Let's Go!" events are also ticketed (see above), and are available on the day of the event but we recommend you order tickets beforehand to avoid potential sellouts, especially if you plan to attend Gourmet on Gore's kick-off signature event Friday evening (a ticketed tasting tour around Vail Village, with featured restaurants providing bites and sips at every stop). Have a look at the full schedule if you're interested in buying passes to some of the more exclusive events.

If you only make it to one event ...

Monday morning's Brunch Off Bridge Street already has us daydreaming eggs Benedict overlooking the Gore, and while the whole festival is really a can't-miss event, we'll gladly take our mimosa to go. Monday's brunch is held in the same area as the open-air tasting, with pay-as-yo-go breakfast goodies and drinks available via Gourmet Dollars available for anyone who happens to stroll through. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Gore Creek Drive, Vail Village

Can you bring the kids?

Of course! Gourmet on Gore will even have a kids' activity center set up for aspiring top chefs to design their own chef's hats with provided arts and crafts materials. Older kids are welcome to join in on the feast, too, although they'll need ID proof that they're over 21 to enjoy the festival's adult beverage samples. If your kids are furry and four-legged, they need to remain leashed and under control as you wander through the Vail Village venue, and  kindly left behind if you're attending any of the in-restaurant events.