Tickets are now available for the Palisade Bluegrass & Roots Festival, which has served as a weekend getaway for people in the Valley since its inception 17 years ago. The festival will take place June 6-8 with a plethora of bluegrass, roots and Americana acts ranging from big-name artists to up-and-coming ones: including a few Roaring Fork Valley locals like Natalie Spears, performing Sunday, June 8.
“Our philosophy at Palisade has always been to get some national acts, but emerging acts are our meat and potatoes,” Amy Kimberly, co-producer of the festival, told The Sopris Sun. “We love bringing the fresh sounds that you might not hear at Telluride Bluegrass Festival, or some of the older, more established events. For us with Natalie Spears it was a natural place for her to be. She’s earned that space on the main stage.”
Also gracing the main stage will be Kitchen Dwellers, LowDown Brass Band, The Faux Paws and Stillhouse String Band opening on Friday, Jun. 6. The California Honey Drops, Yarn, Sicard Hollow, The Cody Sisters and Cousin Curtiss carry the party on Saturday June 7. Finally, in addition to Spears, Sunday’s lineup will feature The Brothers Comatose and Pressing Strings.
“I think the range of our lineup really sets this year apart as opposed to other years,” Kimberly said. “We succeed year after year, but this year, we really went outside the box with LowDown Brass Band, Yarn, California Honey Drops and even Cousin Curtiss to expand what that roots music genre is and can be. That is our secret sauce.”
Additionally, a second stage will welcome the talents of local group Sweet Jessup & The Dirty Buckets on Friday, Feed the Dog on Saturday and Magoo on Sunday.
“I think it’s one of the most relaxed festivals in the state, if not the country,” Kimberly continued. “There’s a lot of trust that happens at this festival. We cook the meals on an open fire and grill back there for the artists, and it feels very much like you’re part of a family.”
Kimberly has been running the festival along with co-producer Josh Behrman of Mountain Groove Productions for the Town of Palisade since it put out a request for proposals asking for that assistance. In the past two years, the co-producers have taken over a majority of operations with the help of volunteers and their own staff.
“Two years ago, [Palisade] staff reached a point where they said, ‘We really are too swamped running a town, and we need to not be running a festival.’ It was a process we went through, but eventually the whole festival was then handed over to Josh and me,” Kimberly explained. “It’s a lot more work, but it’s very rewarding and exciting, because we’ve invested 16 years into building this. It feels good to be able to oversee it and reap the benefits or the losses. It’s a festival we love, and have worked hard to make a really sweet deal on the Western Slope.”
Those attending the festival this year can expect good music, good energy and many fun activities including stand-up paddle board and mini-kayak rentals to enjoy a large pond located on site, hiking trails nearby, artisans and vendors from Palisade, painting workshops and, for older folks attending, the myriad of wineries and distilleries Palisade has to offer. Following each night’s acts, late-night music jams typically erupt.
In short, there is something for everyone. Asked what hopes she has for the festival, Kimberly said, “Life is already so complex, so I hope what people get out of it is a weekend of simple enjoyment in nature that is beautiful and accessible. We’re not pushing any big agendas. Another thing we hope people get out of it is that they learn a few new bands that they hadn’t heard of before.”
For more information, vendor applications or to purchase tickets, visit www.palisademusic.com