Vinotok 2026 · 42nd Annual
History +
Mystery.
Ceremony +
Revelry.
September 13–21
Crested Butte, Colorado
The village makes this week. Bring your hands, your heart, your wildness and your willingness.
The Week
The traditional shape of Vinotok.
At Autumn Equinox the village enters the old story again. Sacred street theatre, feasting, fire, music, procession and ceremony carry us through a week-long courtship and Marriage to the Earth. The old shape is Sunday through Saturday.
2026 sits September 13–21. Locked hours will live here when Marcie and the Elders set them. What follows is the traditional rhythm this valley has kept. We are a community, not a production company. Rain or shine. Dress warm. Be merciful.
Through the week
Walking the Way
A self-directed pilgrimage to the Vinotok Altars — Harvest Mother, Green Man, Earth Dragon, the Knight, and more — on Elk Avenue, in community places, and in the Wastelands. Each altar offers mythology and a gift. Leave a natural offering. Maps appear at the altars.
Pilgrimage →
Sunday
Harvest Mother
Sunday of the Sacred Feminine. Celebration of the Harvest Mother at the Crested Butte Farmers Market. The booth is typically 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; the honoring is typically high noon. Mummers, drummers, stilters, jesters, forest creatures. All Harvest Mothers, Harvest Babies, and pregnant women of the community, come be honored. Head wreaths, grumps, feast tickets when they are selling. Often the children fly as dragons after, and the village adorns the Fire Circle with flowers and greenery the same afternoon. Free.
Monday
Myth, Meaning + Ritual
Usually Marcie at the Mallardi Cabaret. Origins, lore, the why of this week — secrets, ancient story, and the mystery of a harvest celebration unlike any other in America. Typically evening. Bring your own mug. For adults and mature young adults.
Tuesday
Storytelling
Usually the Frank Orazem Memorial Storytelling Evening at the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum. It began long ago and endures with stories from the people. Slovenian potica from the old family recipes. Hot chocolate. Way-back tales of this town and valley. The Green Spirit Awards are often named here when the Council is ready. Bring your own mug.
Wednesday
Secret Village Mumming
The village mums itself. Not Elk Avenue — lawns, porches, driveways, the close rooms of this place. Cast and crew walk the intimate circuit: a dress rehearsal for Saturday, and a kindness for the people who live here. You will not find a poster. If you are of this village, listen.
Thursday
Liars’ Night
The Botsie Spritzer Memorial Liar’s Contest at Kochevar’s Saloon. Tall tales, whoppers, and prizes for the best liar. The Green Man is announced. Naughty, raucous, 21+. Doors typically 7 p.m.; the party typically 8:30; the lies typically 9. Cover, when posted, will live here.
Friday
The Feast
Community Feast + Medieval Faire. Crossroads Fire Circle at the Four-Way. Doors typically 3 p.m. Head wreaths, runes, body art, minstrels, stilt walkers. Blessing and feast typically 5:30 p.m. Handfasting, Squires, indictment of the Grump, and fire after. Bring your own plate, utensils, and mug. Tickets at Rumors / Townie Books when they go on sale.
Feast details →
Saturday
Mumming · Trial · Burn
So much. First the mumming on Elk — cast and crew in the restaurants and pubs, drums and flutes, a taste of the play, inviting you into the street. Typically late afternoon. Then the Trial of the Grump at the Crossroads: Harvest Maiden dances, Dragon and Knight, Harvest Mother, Green Man. The Grump is charged with the grievances of the world. Then the fire. The Grump is offered. Free. Wear a head wreath. Be in the streets.
Fire Circle →
Red Lady Forever
The little town
that said
Hell No.
Vinotok 2026 celebrates the protection of Mother Mountain — Mt. Emmons, the Red Lady. In August 2024, after nearly fifty years, a conservation easement and mineral-rights extinguishment were filed: the mountain forever free of mining. The pilgrimage is how this valley keeps that vow in the body. Route and hour will be posted with the rest of the week.
Red Lady forever free. Red Lady forever sacred. Red Lady forever.
Red Lady · photo Dion Pagonis
Green Spirit Awards
Named closer to the feast.
Each year the Vinotok Council names two notable members of the Crested Butte community for Earth-justice, human rights, humanitarian and environmental education advocacy, and community-healing service. We will not guess them here.
The village creates it.
Hands, heart, wildness, willingness. There is work to do, and celebration to make.
Join the Village →
