Food Fight! When chefs from all over the area enter a food competition, there’s only one winner: your stomach. Judge food from 13 local chefs, including the folks at Max Gill & Grill and Seasons 52, in appetizer, main course, dessert, and cocktail competitions. Plus, bid on live and silent auction items to support the Scleroderma Foundation, which helps those with chronic tissue disease. To those thinking of skipping these festivities, the organizers throw out the following challenge—“You can’t call yourself a Denver foodie if you miss this event!” Just saying. Wednesday, 6–9 p.m.; BAC Appliance Center, 1880 W. Oxford Ave., Englewood; $75-$125

Taziki’s Wine Pairing on the Veranda: At the stylish Veranda Apartments near Hampden South, Taziki’s Mediterranean Café is pairing its scratch-made appetizers not only with wines from Denver’s own Happy Canyon Liquors, but also with appearances by some of Colorado’s best Special Olympics athletes. Bid for prizes, mingle with the athletes—under-21s are still welcome without drink tickets—and donate to support the Olympics dreams of some of Colorado’s most courageous sports stars. Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Nikko Lounge at Veranda Apartments (sixth floor), 6343 E. Girard Pl.; $10-$25

Unbridled Brews: If wine isn’t your thing, how about craft beer? Drink your fill of local beers and ciders in the up-and-coming River North District to support equine-assisted activities and therapy for children and adults with disabilities. The money you pay for drinks helps provide scholarships through the Doreen Katz Memorial Cancer Foundation and Promise Ranch Therapeutic Riding. Friday, 5–9 p.m.; EXDO Events Center, 1399 35th St.; $50

Blue Shoe Run for Prostate Cancer: Beer garden, live music, food, and a giant inflatable slide? Hold up—you have to earn all that with a run. But it’s a very short run or, if you prefer, a walk. Choose a 1.5-mile family walk, 5K run, or kids fun run (for kids under 8), and then enjoy the rest of the day relaxing with tunes and brews. It all benefits the Urology Center of Colorado Foundation’s fight against prostate cancer. Saturday, 7:45 a.m;, 2777 Mile High Stadium Cir.; $20–$45

Dirty Girl Mud Run: This one is for the ladies. Support education and awareness for breast and ovarian cancers with the largest all-female mud run in the country. While you’re not required to run or work through the race’s obstacles, you do have to enjoy at least one of the many weekend events: brunch, wine tastings, raffles, yoga, golf, discounted lodging, and more. Extra benefit: Now is a perfect time to enjoy the fall colors at Copper Mountain. Friday to Sunday, 10 a.m.; Copper Mountain, 0184 Copper Cir.; $55–$135

The Scoot Barn Dance: There’s never been a better reason to slip on some cowboy boots and dance the night away. Spend your Saturday night enjoying an open bar, dinner, dancing and tractor tours—all in support of Colorado Youth Outdoors, which helps parents, mentors and kids bond through outdoor activities. Saturday, 5–11:30 p.m.; Swift Ponds, 4927 E. County Rd. 36, Fort Collins; $50

Walk With the Warriors 5K: There’s no better day to support veterans than the 15th anniversary of 9/11. Through outdoor programs, No Barriers Warriors empowers veterans with disabilities to overcome challenges and form relationships with other veterans. Don’t miss your chance to show your patriotism in a meaningful way—on a day that’s meant for honoring those who have sacrificed so much for us. Sunday, 9 a.m.; Carpenter Park, 3498 E. 112th Ave., Thornton; free (donation encouraged)