STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Carefree children, live music, dancing, catching up with old friends, hints of mouthwatering barbecue weaving through the crowd with the evening breeze.

Though fall may soon be here, relive those backyard barbecue memories with two annual events slated for the weekend.

16^th annual North Routt Community Charter School Barbecue Fundraiser

Marking its 16^th year, the annual North Routt Community Charter School barbecue fundraiser will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Hahn’s Peak Roadhouse.

According to Tina Harlow, NRCCS board president, for the past five years, the event has taken place at the Hahn’s Peak Roadhouse and included wagon rides, food, a silent auction and a live dessert auction. Games and activities throughout the day include cow plop bingo, a slime-making station, a watermelon eating contest and a cakewalk.

Live music at the event will feature local North Routt eighth-grader Adia Clark-Lay, a singer and guitarist, from 3 to 4 p.m., and well-known musician Paul Geppert from 4 to 6 p.m.

Last year, Harlow said, the event raised more than $21,000, and its goal this year is to surpass that number. Funds from the event benefit the school’s curriculum and technology costs.

REPS annual Barbecue Fundraiser

Aiming to raise awareness and raise funds for a local cause, the REPS (Reaching Everyone Preventing Suicide) annual barbecue will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Steamboat Springs Community Center.

“We have one of the highest suicide rates in the nation. It’s something that occurs often in our community, and people don’t often hear about it,” said Meghan McNamara, a REPS board member.

Saturday’s barbecue will include smoked pork and beef donated by Xcel Energy, corn from Davis Family Farms and desserts from Winona’s, Freshies and the Ore House. Live music will be from Eric Delaney and Eric Berry, known collectively as Me & Ed’s Duo. There will also be a silent auction, along with yard games and children’s activities.

“This event gives people the space to share their personal story about how suicide has impacted their life,” McNamara said. “I’ve had people share their story with me when I’ve been out soliciting donations and at the event. Suicide is not an easy thing to talk about, and it’s really powerful when you are able make a connection like that.”

McNamara said the event will help raise money for REPS programs, including question, persuade and refer — or QPR — training and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, or ASSIST.

Those interested in volunteering for  the event can sign up at signup.com/login/entry/907030347340614027.

To reach Audrey Dwyer, call 970-871-4229, email adwyer@steamboattoday.com or follow her on Twitter @Audrey_Dwyer1.