Weekend Holly Bluegrass Festival Packs the Park

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Another successful Holly Bluegrass Festival was held this past weekend with sunny skies and warm temperatures that would have been hot, had it not been for some Saturday afternoon breezes through Gateway Park.

The 11th Annual free music event, the only free bluegrass festival in Colorado, featured six acts that performed for two sessions each on Saturday, June 8. The festival kicks off on Friday with an open jam session that coincides with a community BBQ, sponsored by the Holly Commercial Club. One regular fan noted there was a younger crowd and a group of young teen performers who held the audience’s attention on Friday with their accomplished performances.

The music on Saturday began at 11am with the WMD Bluegrass Band taking the opening position. Every 45 minutes a new group was on stage with longtime emcee, Ty Harmon, introducing the acts and providing some commentary for the audience while a new performance was getting set on stage. The Acoustic Mining Company, Jody Adams & The StringDudes, The Atomic Fireballs and James Reams & The Barnstormers rounded out the entertainment that lasted until 9pm, when a second jam session closed out the evening. Throughout the day, the Holly High School classes manned the food booths, offering the traditional burgers and hot dogs, along with pulled pork, Philly cheesesteak sandwiches and Mexican combo dishes, plus homemade ice cream and plenty of drinks.

The final day of the festival offered gospel tunes as and community church service in the park, featuring noted performers Frankie and Phyllis Valens. The organizing committee noted this year that instead of having to offer invitations for complete all the musical acts for the festival, bands were beginning to contact them to seek an invitation to perform.

By Russ Baldwin