by Laurie Hutton
I have a serious obsession these days. Before I moved to Colorado I imagined my retirement to be gardening and playing with grandchildren and traveling to distant lands I had never seen. Then the banjo plan was adopted. This new plan involved learning to play that happy instrument so I could jam with people in my new post retirement location. What better way to meet people? Forget about getting a job. Forget about joining interest clubs. Forget about tennis or pickeball. This aging woman learned bluegrass! What I didn't predict was my absolute love of going to bluegrass festivals. Especially those with camping! The calendar during my work years was checkered with conventions and vacations and holiday obligations. Now my years are measured by which festivals I will attend.
It started innocently with my first Merlefest in 2012. I know many readers are seasoned Telluride and Rockygrass attendees. Their instrument cases are dotted with stickers of favorite bands : some long disbanded. I missed this phenomenon that has been happening quietly for 40 plus years. That was all about to change. There was a whole new world of craic and musical adventure to be savored. I soon found going to festivals meant I could hear the latest bluegrass and Americana artists, hone those banjo skills and meet the most amazing friends.
I want to share a snapshot of my experiences at festivals in 2023. Each one was a little different while at times having the same artists. Finding the right ones to attend is a personal preference. Here in Colorado we are fortunate to have so many options during the spring and summer.
UllrGrass UllrGrass Why would one want to stand out in the January cold in Golden? Because it's a blast! Two nights of heated tent revelry combined with an awesome beer tasting Saturday afternoon makes you forget it is the dead of winter. I booked a hotel nearby and donned my warmest clothes to hit up the huge tent in Parcot Park to dance the dark night away with hundred of music lovers. I don't like beer much but having little tin cups with super cold beer to savor while listening to music was super fun. The line up was rich with Colorado hot pickers making this festival one I plan on hitting up again.
Midwinter Bluegrass Festival Bluegrass Festival | Midwinter Bluegrass Festival | Colorado Who wants to be on the fourth floor? Not me! Midwinter is the place to be if you miss the all night jamming of Rockygrass. Located at the newly renovated Delta Hotel just north of Denver, it is packed with National artists doing multiple sets during the weekend. The entire hotel is taken over by musicians. It is fun to count how many times you hear Old Home Place being played. Every corner was taken by jammers. My gang resorted to trying the workout gyms acoustics. There are workshops and band scrambles. I stayed at the hotel and caught as many of the bands as I could. It is the definitive winter homecoming of Colorado Bluegrass!
Merlefest MerleFest As usual I attended Merlefest in Wilkesboro, NC in 2023. This massive festival is unique in the fact it is a dry festival. Yup that means no beer sales and no smoke clouds above the crowds. This creates a special listening atmosphere that I absolutely love. I have a reserved seat I carry over year after year ( just like season tickets). I have the same camping spot at the North Wilkesboro Fire Dept campground. The only thing that changes for me is the lineup and the price of gas to haul my camper across the country. There are 12 stages and four days of music. The Watson Stage is where the headline acts perform. There are always a variety of genres at this festival. Doc Watson called the music traditional plus and they've lived up to that philosophy even after his passing in 2012. The festival is a marathon for my ears. I attend all four days from opening to close including late night dance tent festivities. The highlight of Merlefest for me is the Hillside Album hour performed by the Waybacks. Each year this California band takes a classic album and grasses it up with guest artists. In 2023 it was Who's Next with Della Mae's Celia Woodsmith belting out Roger Daltrey! Watching James Nash, Jens Kruger and Sam Bush taking licks on theses iconic songs is a joy that can't be overstated.
TicoTime Bluegrass Tico Time Bluegrass Festival | Music and Camping Festival May is the beginning of the Colorado outdoor festival season. Ticotime, while not exactly in Colorado ( its a few miles south of Durango in Aztec NM) was a blast. I splurged for a full hookup and totally enjoyed this funky campground. The lineup included some non bluegrass acts that were not my thing but overall the days were full of dancing in the sand and enjoying the sweet vibe of a smaller festival. The organizers have secured a huge and colorful sun shade for the audience. The music is right next to the Animas River and you cross over the river from the campground to see the shows. This was my first time attending and even thought I missed my beloved Billy Strings at Red Rocks, I was totally content. The vibrant picking scene and energy of folks emerging from winter created an especially groovy atmosphere.
McAwesome Fest McAwesome Ranch | Facebook IYKYK! McAwesome festival is a private little festival located down by Castle Rock. The only way to attend is to be invited or join the McAwesome Ranch Group on Facebook. I attended my second McAwesome Festival this year. The set up is a huge area with dry camping available for trailers and tents. The owners have built their own amphitheater with tiered seating along with a huge indoor barn area for late night and/or rain/hail. The lineup is full of fresh talent with lots of energy! This festival is DOG friendly which is a huge plus for folks. It was held on Memorial Day weekend when there are competing festivals in the area. I like the intimacy of the grounds and the ability to get real close to the music.
Rail on the River www.Coloradograss.org This little festival arose out of the Longmont Musical Supper Club and it is one of my favorite weekends. Located at the Parrish Ranch west of Berthoud, the festival is capped at 150. There are electric/water hookups at a historic ranch with a dance hall and farm house. This is a community affair with a crowd sourced bar, pot lucks and morning breakfast jams. While not really a bluegrass festival it is an intense music festival developed to support local Colorado bands. Those of us who attend enjoy the special weekend along the Little Thompson River. There are lots of jamming opportunities for a variety of genres including electric up in the dance hall late at night. This was my third year attending this last weekend in June Festival. It is summer camp for adults.
www.snowygrass.com SnowyGrass took a huge leap this year moving to the fairgrounds in Estes park. With a killer lineup and new onsite camping it was a great experience. We even had fireworks courtesy of the town since the July 4th show was postponed. I was able to dry camp with my 24 foot trailer and be within close proximity to the music. The backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, the picking opportunities and the cool evenings made the weekend totally enjoyable. The fact it is so close to home was even better.
RockyGrass 52nd Annual RockyGrass Festival — Planet Bluegrass • Colorado Music Festivals & Concerts • Lyons, CO I opted for the RockyGrass Academy again this year extending one of my favorite weekends into 8 days of splender on the St Vrain River. I can't imagine missing the whole event. It all starts with load in on Sunday and the first of many lotteries. Who is going to get the best number to secure a good camping spot for academy. Who has room in their car? Who is gonna throw down the tarps? This year I lucked out with a low number and was able to get my favorite spot for my new/used under 18' popup bought specifically for onsite at the planet. Thus began my residence in bluegrass heaven. The morning performances by the instructors. The instrument classes. The electives The band scramble contest. The barbecues. The jamming. The singing in the river! When it all came to an end on Thursday the next chapter of fun began.
Our little community of 300 grew exponentially within just a few hours. The energy level exploded from the anticipatory excitement of four nights and three days of hard driving bluegrass and revelry. The pinnacle event of bluegrass aficionados in Colorado had begun and the whirlwind of music, camaraderie and happiness swept through the campground like a derecho. We laugh, we sing, we stroll through the darkness. We head down Porta Potty Road and River Road looking to catch a glimpse of one of our musical heroes joining a local's jam. We imbibe at Coleman Square and get the tarp run numbers at midnight. We bake in the sun listening to the best bluegrass musicians bring their talent to our heavenly spot. We eat our favorite RockyGrass foods from the same vendors and switch to our warm clothes for the night's magic. Repeat two more times.. then Monday and the sweet exhaustion of another Rockygrass in the books.
Rapidgrass Festival Rapidgrass Bluegrass Festival (rapidgrassfestival.com) Nestled in the mountain town of Idaho Springs right off I70 is the hometown festival of Rapidgrass. I finally made it to this bucket list event spotlighting the Colorado band that lives up to its name. I opted for a local motel instead of the available tent camping. This is a low key intimate festival without much of a picking scene. There were a few out of town acts in addition to locals that made the weekend pleasant. This is a budget friendly festival in a beautiful setting.
Pickin in the Pines Flagstaff Home - Pickin' in the Pines Bluegrass & Acoustic Music Festival (pickininthepines.org) The lineup at this festival in Flagstaff has been really strong in the last several years and this year was no exception. I planned ahead to get a nice spot for my trailer at the beautiful Fort Tuthill County Park where the event is held. The venue is fabulous and not overcrowded. The weather was gorgeous and there were plenty of picking opportunities. If this were a little closer I would make it every year.
Renewal Billy Strings Renewal 2023 - Thanks for joining us | Bonfire Entertainment My 2023 festival season ended with my third trip to Billy Strings Renewal held in Buena Vista. This is a favorite weekend with 7500 fans converging on the grounds to share in the love for all things Billy Strings. I arrived Thursday and set up my shared compound with friends and enjoyed a weekend full of daytime jamming and camaraderie and magical music from late afternoon till late at night. With the added talents of Della Mae, Shadow Grass, East Nash Grass, and Leftover Boys Drew and Vince, Billy and his crew once again showed why they are the reigning IBMA Entertainers of the Year. This was a fantastic way to close out the summer.
The year is coming to a close and the notifications are coming in about ticket sales for 2024. Which festivals will you be attending? I will keep feeding this obsession of mine until these feet and ears can't take it any more. Let us relish the amazing music scene we have fostered here in our beautiful state! Keep on pickin!
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