COLO. STATE FAIR’S NEVER-ENDING FUN

2» If you can’t find something for your tastes at the Colorado

running Aug. 23Sept. 2, you’re not looking very hard. The annual event hits all the nostalgic notes with carnival rides, livestock and agricultural competitions, horse shows, fine arts displays and dizzying array of comfort food — everything from tacos to Greek food. But there’s also diverse live music with Aaron Watson, Ramon Ayala, The Beach Boys, Halestorm, Brett Young, 38 Special and Banda Machos, along with monster trucks, rodeo contests and a demolition derby. $22.50-$50 for concerts, all of which include gate admission, and free admission for kids under 12 on opening day, Aug. 23. Colorado State Fairground, 1001 Beulah Ave. in Pueblo. colorado

Love’s a many-tentacled thing.

4» As Westminster’s Butterfly THROUGH SEPT. Pavilion gathers its shovels for the 2022 groundbreaking of a $30 million new building, it’s still adding exhibits, such as the kid-friendly Colorado Backyard, which bowed in March, and Denver Zoo-style animal stunts (have you ever met Rosie the Tarantula?). The latest is a contest, launched Aug. 21 and running through Sept. 4, that lets visitors vote on the name of the Pavilion’s new octopus (a.k.a. a “day octopus,” or Octopus cyanea). Voters can drop cash into jars labeled with the names at the Water’s Edge Exhibit, with punny options ranging from Nolan Armanado (inspired by the Rockies’ Nolan Arenado), Ininko Montoya (think “The Princess Bride”) and Octavius. Proceeds benefit the invertebrate zoo’s conservation and research efforts, and the winner will be announced on Facebook the week of Sept. 9. Also look for $5 admission on Aug. 26. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily at 6252 W. 104th Ave. 303-469-5441 or

Gearing up for film fest season.

As fall approaches