PICK OF THE WEEK: Rocky Mountain Folks Festival – Friday, Saturday & Sunday, August 17-19 – Planet Bluegrass Ranch, Lyons, CO

Note: This Post is my 100th on this Blog since I started it August 11th of 2006. Thanks for all your support over the past year.

Why You Should Go: This is one of the most laid back and well run festivals that I have ever been to. Set in the beautiful town of Lyons, Colo., this festival is the perfect compliment to a summer afternoon. Along the St. Vrain River, Planet Bluegrass Ranch is an oasis nestled among the majestic red rock formations that dominate the Lyons landscape. The Festival, now in its 18th year, brings together some of the most recognized names in the folk world with some bright new up-and-comers.

The folk genre is broad and the organizers are more than willing to push the boundaries of the genre when booking acts. Rest assured that there will be a healthy dose of old favorites, but if you are a music lover who can’t wait to find a new act to sink your teeth into, you won’t be disappointed.

Like Planet Bluegrass’s marquee festival in Telluride, the on-site camping may be close quarters but it fosters new friendships, jam sessions and more than a few good laughs. For those who shy away from big crowds, the relatively low capacity of the Ranch allows this to be one of the most intimate feeling festivals around.

Line Up:
Friday, August 17

• 10:45am – Gates Open
• 11:15 – 1:00 – Folks Showcase Finalists
• 1:15 – 2:15 – Vance Gilbert
• 2:30 – 3:30 – Mary Gauthier
• 3:45 – 5:00 – Darrell Scott
• 5:30 – 6:45 – Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
• 7:15 – 8:30 – The Ditty Bops
• 9:00 – 10:30 – Gillian Welch & David Rawlings

Saturday, August 18

• 10:00am – Gates Open
• 10:30 – 11:30 – Mitch Barrett
• 11:45 – 12:45 – Zoe Lewis & Her Rubber Band
• 1:00 – 2:00 – Arthur Lee Land
• 2:15 – 3:30 – Catie Curtis
• 3:45 – 5:00 – Dave Rawlings Machine
• 5:30 – 6:45 – Brett Dennen
• 7:15 – 8:30 – Judy Collins
• 9:00 – 10:30 – Ray LaMontagne

Sunday, August 19

• 10:00am – Gates Open
• 10:30 – 11:15 – Ellis
• 11:30 – 12:30 – Gandalf Murphy & the Slambovian Circus of Dreams
• 1:00 – 2:15 – Guggenheim Grotto
• 2:30 – 3:30 – Serena Ryder
• 4:00 – 5:15 – Peter Himmelman
• 5:30 – 6:45 – Cheryl Wheeler
• 7:15 – 8:30 – Richie Havens
• 9:00 – 10:30 – Chris Isaak

Ray LaMontagne

Brett Dennen

Richie Havens

Venue: Planet Bluegrass Ranch, 500 West Main St, Lyons, CO 80540 (800)624-2422 or (303)823-0848

Doors:
Friday – 10:45 AM
Saturday – 10:00 AM
Sunday – 10:00 AM

*Approximate Set Times:
See Line Up Above

*Price:
3 Day Pass – $105 (ADV)
Friday Pass – $40
Saturday Pass – $45
Sunday Pass – $45
Camping Passes are also available check the website for more information
PURCHASE

*All times and prices are gathered from other sources and I am not responsible for mistakes or inconsistencies. They are intended only as guidelines. Please, always call the venue if you desire the most accurate information possible.