Bring on the thunder

For years, the residents of northern Colorado pondered one question more than any other: How come we don't have a big ol' motorcycle rally here like they do up in Sturgis? A few years back they got their answer in the form of Thunder in the Rockies, a Labor Day bikestravaganza aimed at giving the folks up in North Dakota a ride for their money. Hop aboard your hog — we mean motorcycle, for those of you who live near Greeley — and take part in the scenic group rides and the poker run, expose some work in the tattoo contest, check out the bike show or take in the live set by comedians Carlos Mencia and Josh Blue this evening. Feeling extra tough? Then don't miss the (gulp) Rocky Mountain Oyster eating competition. We know you've got the ... er, guts to do it.

When: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. today, Saturday and Sunday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday; rides, concerts and individual events at various times, see online for full schedule

Where: Budweiser Event Center at The Ranch, off of Interstate 25 outside of Loveland, just north of Highway 34; certain events held off-site, see online for more details

Cost: $10 daily admission, $15 for full weekend

Information: thunderintherockies.com

West's best fest

Take off those round glasses and that ridiculous wig — Denverfest 3 has nothing, nothing at all to do with your boy John. Rather, it's three days of genuine rock 'n' roll taking place at some of our town's finest establishments. We're talkin' bands like The Tarmints, Ghost Buffalo, Machine Gun Blues and the excellently named You'll Be A Torso playing spots like 3 Kings Tavern, Larimer Lounge and Bender's. So, while we appreciate the mellow-folk stylings of the late JD as much as anyone — well, not as much as you — we're sorry to disappoint.

When: Today through Sunday; start times vary, see online for more information

Where: Locations vary, see online

Cost: Individual venue tickets $10 apiece; day passes (for all shows each day) $15-$20; full weekend passes $30

Information: dfesthq.com

In the can

While mom doesn't think so highly of our vast collection of empty beer cans, we know that we have people out there. People who share our passion for beery collectibles, who value antique bottles, fin de siecle ads for Ortleib's and commemorative T-shirts featuring the Hamm's bear. People, dear readers, like yourselves. Which is why we know to look for you on the trade show floor of the Brewery Collectibles Club of America's 37th Annual CANvention. Searching for that one special glass coaster? You're going to find it here — and let us know if you stumble across any unopened Billy Beer. (Not for our collection. We're just thirsty.)

When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday

Where: Plaza Building of the Adams Mark Hotel, 1550 Court Place

Cost: $5

Information: bcca.com

Rejects at the Fair

Like us, you've probably recently watched Walter Lang's 1945 masterpiece, State Fair. And like us, you've probably fantasized about being Dana Andrews. And like us, you need to get a life, very soon. Quit watchin' films about state fairs and go check out our own Colorado State Fair, which winds down this weekend with some of its biggest entertainment: shows by Peter Frampton (today), The All American Rejects (Saturday) and Los Lonely Boys and The Doobie Brothers (Sunday). Not to mention the mutton bustin'. We love us some busted mutton.

When: 10 a.m.-midnight Friday-Monday

Where: Colorado State Fairgrounds, 1001 Beulah Ave., Pueblo

Cost: $8 adult today-Sunday; $5 Monday; children six and under free accompanied by adult; tickets for concerts sold separately, see online for price and time

Information: coloradostatefair.com

Feeling kind of blue

You've got your blues, and then you've got your Blues, and B.B. King deserves that capital letter. The 80-year-old legendary axeman — and his legendary axes, all named Lucille — are still going strong on tour decades after he started recording with the (equally legendary) Sam Phillips in the '40s. He comes to our fair state as the headliner in the 2007 B.B. King Blues Festival, featuring support acts that could headline festivals of their own in Al Green and Etta James.

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Cost: $49-$89

Information: 303-830-8497