Don’t let the lack of snow fool you. Beaver Creek is not just for winter fun. The mountains are beautiful all year around. You may find it curious that as a teetotaler I attended the Wine & Spirits festival, but I wanted to see if even I, without a drop of alcohol, would enjoy it. I did, but how?

The reality of it is, the wine and spirits are only a fraction of the festival. The renowned Walk & Wine Luncheon started with a great hike through the lower hills of Beaver Creek. The affable guides provided three options for the diverse crowd that registered, a slow group keeping a casual pace, a medium group and a fast group. I joined the fast group and found this to be a very relative term but the hike was still very enjoyable. For someone who hikes regularly, don’t expect to be getting any sort of workout from this, but a nice walk in the woods with a fun guide who stops regularly to point out interesting tidbits about the natural history of the area, fauna as they cross the path, various flora including some edible kinds and even some of the land management going-ons around the resort.

We arrived fashionably late to the Luncheon at The Pines Lodge but never felt rushed and those who drank were greeted with a sparkling pink wine. My option was water. The only, dare I say ‘snooty’ comment I received the whole weekend was from, it turned out, the head wine guy (never cared to get his name) at The Pines Lodge who responded to my inquiry of any non-alchaholic options with his nose turned up “it is a walk and WINE luncheon”. Would it kill them to buy a bottle of Martinelli’s just to have on hand? I guess some people need a sense of exclusivity to feel important in some way.

What I’m getting to though, is the food. It was amazing. As you’ll see in the video below, I need to improve my food connoisseur vocabulary so I can move past “tasty”. I mock myself in the second video. See if you can spot it.

Here it is. Plan your year according to the best festivals and happenings in music, sports and film across Colorado.

THE ONE-BAND FESTIVAL

Phish: Telluride, August 9-10

When Phish reunited last year, the improvisational rock kings made it clear they intended to get back to the heart of what mattered in their previous two decades together. That’s included returning to favorite venues the band outgrew years ago. Last summer’s four nights at Red Rocks were something most fans never thought they would see again after the infamous miasma of a previous 1996 run. Although the shows sold out in seconds—leaving many shut out—they went off without incident. This August, Phish is taking it a step beyond and setting up camp for two days in the intimate confines of Telluride’s Town Park.

The town has a special place in Phish lore. In 1988 the Vermont-bred band ventured outside of New England for the first time and drove straight to Colorado for a run of shows that included shuffling their own equipment across the street between gigs at The Roma and Fly Me to the Moon Saloon. Recordings of the shows were released in 2006 on a live album set Colorado ’88. Back then, Phish was still earning fans one at a time. This summer the band and its loyal herd will get to turn the box canyon into their very own festival. We’ll see you there.

The Faithful: The weather is just part of the experience on the Colorado festival scene.

MUSIC

Waterfront Music Festival and Campout

May 14-16, Bellvue

It’s hard to beat the parties in Poudre Canyon at the rustic riverside Mishawaka Amphitheatre. This year’s music season at the Mish kicks off with this new three-day festival that’s shaping up to be a jamgrass orgy. The coolest thing on the bill is Wicked Messenger, a new project formed by Adam Aijala and Ben Kaufmann of Yonder Mountain String Band that will focus on material by Dylan and the Dead. More bands: Head for the Hills, Greensky Bluegrass, Billy Nershi’s Blue Planet, and Spring Creek.

waterfrontmusicfestival.net

MeadowGrass Music Festival

May 29-30, Colorado Springs

Nestled in the pines of Black Forest, 15 miles north of Colorado Springs, MeadowGrass is a mellow roots music bash at the La Foret Conference and Retreat Center. Pristine camping spots and a family-friendly vibe mix well with the eclectic line-up of newgrass and alt-folk, including The Greencards, Grant Lee Philips, Great Lake Swimmers, Martha Scanlan and more to be announced.

meadowgrass.org

Pagosa Folk ‘n Bluegrass

June 4–6, PAgosa springs

This low-key fest is so grassroots it enlists fans to be part of its “street team,” passing out info about the event in their local towns. Music will include Bearfoot (see sidebar) and Durango locals The Badly Bent.

folkwest.com/folk_bluegrass_festival

Palisade Bluegrass and Roots Music Fest

June 12–14, Palisade

This little fesival dedicated to acoustic music gets busy in the heart of Colroado wine-and-peaches country, so you’l be able to partake of both during the festivities. And the music? Alongside stanbys, like Hot Buttered Rum, Alaskan sensation Bearfoot (see sidebar) and Texas swing rockers Asleep at the Wheel promise to make this one raucous roots event.

palisademusic.com

Telluride Bluegrass

June 17–20, Telluride

Trying to write about Telluride is akin to trying to write about Moab’s Slickrock Trail. It’s so cliched you can barely bring yourself to do it. Yet it’s that way for a damn good reason. If you have never gone you must. If you have, well, it’s a new experience every year. This time around, there will be the touchstones (Alison Krauss, Sam Bush and Bela Fleck never get old), the international (Zakir Hassain, The Drepung Monks) and the new school (The Magnetic Zeros, The Hillbenders).

bluegrass.com/telluride/

Rockygrass

July 23-25, Lyons

Rockygrass is the core bluegrass happening in Colorado, and not just because of the bands on the main stage—which this year will include Sam Bush, Doc Watson and David Holt, The Horseflies, Alison Brown and Bearfoot (see sidebar). It’s the community spirit of Rockygrass Academy, which takes place just before the festival, that gives it the spirit of a musicians’ get-together—not to mention all the picking circles that spring up in camp.

bluegrass.com/rockygrass

Crestone Music Festival

August 6–8, Crestone

Ah, Crestone. Vortex of transcendental oneness where enlightened beings of all types get along. So it is as the music festival, which includes a mix of eclectic food, art and community. Check the Web site for lineups not yet annouced as of press time.

crestfest.org

Yarmonygrass Music Festival

August 12-14, Rancho del Rio

Float all day and rock all night. This festival in Rancho del Rio takes place right on the banks of the Colorado. There are options to take river trips with musicians who will pick tunes on a floating stage during flat stretches. The surrounding views back at base camp are big but the crowds are small, as this festival is capped at just a couple thousand people. Line-up in the works.

yarmonygrass.com

Folks Festival

August 13–15, Lyons

With an ear towards songwriters, Folks is stacked with big names, including John Prine, Ani DiFranco, Greg Brown and Michelle Shocked as well as new arrivals like The Swell Season (see sidebar) and Liz Longley. It has a totally different vibe than groovin’ cousins Telluride and Rockygrass. Just chill in that lawn chair and head down to St. Vrain Creek to build Zen sculptures.

bluegrass.com/folks

Mile High Music Festival

August 14–15, Denver

Mile High is the antidote to festivarianism—the urban happening where you may see some folks who can truly dance or bang their heads. This year’s lineup has not yet been announced (organizers say to look for it in early April) but the 2009 show featured jam-banders Widespread Panic, Galactic, Matisyahu and Big Head Todd, as well as Tool, G. Love, Ben Harper, The Black Keys, Thievery Corporation and local headliners Devotchka and The Fray. For our money, it’s the best musical event in the state.

milehighmusicfestival.com

NedFest

August 27-29, Nederland

This annual throwdown up in Ned has held on to its intimate vibe as it continues to deliver a diverse line-up of national acts, a tasty array of microbrews, and a big spread of local food and crafts. There’s hardly a better buzz than sipping a hoppy pale ale at 8,000 feet while enjoying a killer mix of jazz, rock and bluegrass. After a long day of partying pitch your tent at the family campground or better yet grab a free spot in the surrounding wilderness. Past line-up highlights include Dr. John, Sam Bush and Charlie Hunter. Bands for 2010 still to be announced.

nedfest.com

Telluride Blues and Brews

September 17-19, Telluride

The other festival in Tellurdie is the locals favorite. For good reason, the fall air is crisp and cool, the crowds aren’t as insane and the music …. the music is the real reason to go since it draws old and young blues artists from around the globe. Oh, and the beer—53 breweries join in, with a grand tasting on Saturday night.

tellurideblues.com

ON THE RISE

Look past the big-name headliners and make sure to hear these bands.

Dave Rawlings Machine

Dave Rawlings is usually the steady backbone for musical partner Gillian Welch, but this year the duo is switching roles. It’s refreshing to see the underappreciated Rawlings—a rock-solid guitarist with a rustic tenor croon—step into the forefront and deliver many of the familiar songs that he’s penned for others. The honky tonk version of “To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To be High),” originally on Ryan Adams’ Heartbreaker is particularly smoking. In addition to the expected sweet harmonies with Welch, the Machine features three of the high-octane string bandits from the Old Crow Medicine Show. Appearing at Telluride Bluegrass Festival.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Guaranteed to be the band that turns Telluride Bluegrass on its head, this 10-piece ensemble of tree-hugging hipsters sounds like Scooby Doo’s answer to the Arcade Fire being fronted by Johnny and June Carter Cash. The latter comes from the back and forth between lead singers Alex Ebert and Jade Castrinos, who play hot potato with retro harmonies in front of a bevy of strings, horns, hand-claps and anything else that make beautiful noise.

Bearfoot

Forget Nashville. The next incarnation of Alison Krauss and Union Station is coming from…Anchorage? This five-piece Alaskan bluegrass outfit has been in the national spotlight since winning the Telluride band competition in 2001, but lately they’ve hit a revitalized stride with the addition of new lead singer and fiddler Odessa Jorgensen. With hot picking, sultry harmonies, and timeless originals, the young band is poised to become the face of new school old-time. Appearing at Pagosa Springs Folk ‘n Bluegrass Festival and Rockygrass.

The Swell Season

If you only know the Swell Season from their 2008 Oscar-winning song “Falling Slowly,” you’re missing the bigger picture of this expansive internationally acclaimed folk duo. On their new album, Strict Joy, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova document their own turbulent break-up with emotional bare-your-soul vocal harmonies, while they plunder the spectrum of Americana from old-school soul to soaring acoustic rock. They’ll help the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival celebrate 20 years.

The Mayor of Town Park

Tom Heidger has missed the Telluride Bluegrass Festival just once in the past 30 years. Known around the campground as Telluride Tom, he’s the de facto ringleader of Town Park’s longstanding community of festivarians, who organize their own annual events beyond the music on stage. Heidger, 64, was officially dubbed the “Mayor of Town Park” by promoter Planet Bluegrass in 2003. That distinction came with a lifetime pass to the festival and its most revered campground.

How long is Telluride Bluegrass Festival for you every year?

Planet Bluegrass takes over Town Park the Saturday before the festival starts. I get there the week before that.

What are your responsibilities as mayor?

Every year I post a list of all the different organized things we have going on in Town Park. Some constants include a big oyster barbeque that feeds hundreds of people. At a different camp we make rum balls, which contain all kinds of different fruit soaked in rum and whatever other kind of alcohol is contributed. We soak them for days and then a huge group gathers around for a big toast the day before the music starts. That’s when I get up on a ladder and proclaim the festival has officially started.

Favorite festival memory?

In 1991 Carlos Nakai—a Native American flute player. He told a story during his set about the spirit of the wind. As his playing got faster and faster, the wind in the box canyon picked up and started swirling paper plates and napkins above the crowd. Then as he mellowed out, it stopped. Incredible.

Band not to be missed?

The Telluride House Band with Sam Bush, Bela Fleck and Jerry Douglas.

Advice for newbs?

Be prepared for any kind of weather. It’s hot during the day, freezing at night and it rains out of nowhere.

Keller Williams: The multi-talented musician is glad Mr. Steele stopped stalking him.

FREAKER BY THE SPEAKER

I may be into bluegrass now, but I didn’t start out that way. Back in 1996, I was still working on getting techno beat out of my head. All that Boom-Boom-Boom was a consequence of spending way too much time clubbing in Minneapolis. Coming to Colorado turned out to be a perfect form of therapy.

The jam band concerts at Red Rocks, Mishawaka, Keystone delivered me from the mindless beat. First it was Widespread Panic, Leftover Salmon and SCI that moved me from techno to what could be termed aucustic house music. Just trancy enough to keep me mellow, but entertained.

Colorado mountain music sounds so much better that any Midwest moshfest. Sure, the venues were good, but the acoustics were what chanegd the way I heard music. Almost overnight, I became a Red Rocks Snob. Then I found The one-man-band known as Keller Williams.

I got so into his music that I became the Freaker by the Speaker. I became obssesed with meeting  Keller. I admit, I turned into a stalker.

I had a plan. I’d use my KGOAT radio show as an excuse to talk with him. It worked—sort of. I started playing Keller’s Celler during my show. Soon, Keller’s Cellar took over my two whole hour show. I eventually scored that coveted phone interview with Keller. But it was, as it sounds, low-fi and impersonal. Not satisfied, I went to plan B. I started talking with Keller’s sound guy, Louis Gosain. I got to meet Keller a few times that way, but it was always just after he came off-stage. This time hi-fi, but impersonal.

Then I went to Plan C, I gave up. I continued to play Keller’s Celler as my radio show. But I no longer was that weird person who was too enthusiastic for his own good. Over the next few years, I picked up the mandolin and fell into bluegrass. I stopped chasing musicians and started chasing music.

Then I got the call, “Keller’s playing at the Mish this weekend, you wanna do an interview for your show?”. I scored a full backstage interview with Keller. Something changed, though. I got a glimpse of what it must be like to be a musician on the road. It’s a really lonely place. The only people that truly want to see you on the road are starry-eyed fanatics like me. I had changed. Once I stopped with the mystified thing, I started to realize that the music is in all of us. And thanks to Keller, I’m now the Freaker with the Speaker.

—Eric Steele

The Soul: The Teva Mountain Games include a whole range of mountain sports but whitewater is still the main attraction.

SPORT

Fruita Fat Tire Festval

April 29–May 2, Fruita

Sponsored by New Belgium Brewery, the bike fest that kicks the season off is the perfect place to learn the trails here that have been built by bikers for bikers. It’s a flurry of group rides, bike culture, demos and of course, lots and lots of beer.

fruitamountainbike.com

CKS Paddlefest

May 29–31, Buena Vista

Created by local shop, Colorado Kayak Supply. this core paddling happening offers a little something for everyone—from pros duking it out in the playhole to demos where you can put new gear through the wringer. Many manufacturers attend as well so you can get inside info on new boats.

ckspaddlefest.com

Teva Mountain Games

June 3–6, Vail

There is as of yet no other event like the Mountain Games, a spectator friendly celebration of outdoor sports. The kayak action in the middle of town is the big highlight but we are partial to the big splashes of the mountain dog contest. And it’s not just for watching—amateurs can enter events and maybe even surprise some people.

tevamountaingames.com

Lyons Outdoor Games

June 11-13, Lyons

What began as a little local whitewater fetival has grown into a big multi-sport celebration. The action includes competitons and demos in everything from whitewater to chainsaw carving to skateboarding. Add in a bike rodeo, live music and local beer at Oskar Blues and it’s a party.

lyonsoutdoorgames.com

FIBArk

June 18–21, Salida

For 62 years boaters have converged on the Arkansas River in Salida to celebrate the joy of paddling. Anything you can race downriver gets you in on the competion here—the festival takes in everything from raft races to freestyle comps to non-river events that include a bike race and skate park comp.

fibark.net

FILM

5Point Film Festival

April 29-May 2, Carbondale

5Point is focused around athletes who want to make movies that go beyond the athletic achievement and actually make some type of difference in the world. The main focus of the event is commuinty and panel discusions  encourage attendees to discuss issues beyond the films.

5pointfilm.org

MountainFilm in Telluride

May 22–25, Telluride

MountainFilm is an artistic happening including art, conversation and, of course, movies. This year’s thematic focus will be on the extinction crisis—a species disappears form the earth every 20 minutes and films and panels will discuss the seriousness of that catastrophic loss of biodiversity on the planet.

mountainfilm.org

Taos MountainFilm

October 9–12, Taos, New Mexico

Since 2001, this mountaineering-focused film festival has featured impassioned work from across the globe. Special guests this year will include famed mountaineer Sir Chris Bonnington and legendary ski-film director Greg Stump, who will be presenting three films. We think it’s worth it just for that.

mountainfilm.org

Dropping In: Begs us to ask, who is more extreme here?

Tired of the usual action-sports porn, young gun kayaking studs and directors, Rush Sturges and Tyler Bradt founded a new kind of production company that would create adventure films that actually make a difference in the world. Their company, Rev Inn (rev-inn.com), recently released The Africa Revolutions Tour, a documentary of their extreme kayaking across the biggest, baddest water on the continent. Every cent the film generates is being donated to the Sun Catchers Project, a nonprofit that installs solar cooking facilities in African orphanages, hospitals and communities. Now that the film is showing, the paddlers/filmmakers are looking to collaborate with more NGOs for their next project. Bradt took the time to talk to us about the film.

What was your inspiration behind creating the film?
The Africa Revolutions Tour is a project built on years of filmmaking and exploration. The inspiration behind the film was to create an expedition to explore some of the most remote whitewater on the planet, while at the same time making a contribution to humanitarian and environmental efforts in Africa. The goal is to create a new genre of action sports film that will couple all the adventure and excitement of extreme sport with cause-driven initiatives. The outcome will raise awareness, educate viewers and generate support for the specific causes.

What were some of the challenges you faced while filming?
The challenges were vast. We had various logistical challenges accessing areas to film, cameras were stolen, there were wildlife and rebel group safety threats along the Murchison section of the White Nile…. We ran into budget restraints, equipment issues, weather and just about every other type of problem you could expect trying to film a four-month expedition throughout Africa. Luckily, we had a great, experienced crew who remained optimistic and took all the issues in stride.

What is your favorite section of the film—either in the creation or in how it turned out on the screen?
The entire film is amazing but the high-water Zambezi section stands out for me. We attempted to run the Zambezi at record high flows. The experience of running the river was incredibly intense on its own and, at the same time, we were filming it on the brink of a storm with a helicopter. The ominous weather, helicopter and some of the biggest water ever paddled combined to create one of the most intense experiences of the trip. Creatively the segment came together like a dream. The original sound track created for the film captures the segment perfectly setting the mood. The music combined with amazing footage from the helicopter makes this segment a highlight of the film.

Do you feel you reached the goals you set out to achieve with the film?
Yes. Creatively, the film blew away even our highest expectations. Our goal now is to get it in front of as many people as possible. The more people that see this film the greater our success.

For someone just starting out in filmmaking, what equipment would you recommend?
Knowing your equipment is just as important as having it. I would recommend purchasing equipment applicable to the style of film you are making and getting to know the equipment you are working with. Aside from the camera, a tripod should be one of your first investments.

Catch The African Revolutions Tour at the 5Point Film Festival in Carbondale, Colorado, May 7–10 (www.5pointfilm.com).

Adherents of sustainable festivation

Ah festival season in Colorado. The distinctive finger-picking, strumming and bowing sounds of rootsy, innovative Bluegrass music not only fills the air but also the campgrounds and stages of outdoor venues across the state.  But that’s not all that has had a fill-up, so to speak. After all the fun is finished and the campers, festivarians and artists have gone home, the host spot or town is stuck with the big job of tidying up. Shouldn’t festivals, with their hippy, love-your-Earth-Mother be leading the dive when it comes to sustainability? Absolutely. And Planet Bluegrass—which produces the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Rockygrass Academy and Festival, Folk Festival, Song School and the Wildflower Pavilion Concert Series—is leading the charge.

Planet Bluegrass’ home base is tucked into the red rock canyons in the town of Lyons, site of all of its productions except Telluride. The natural beauty of the grounds are amplified by the hum of the St. Vrain River flowing through it. It’s an inspiration both to the festival attendees and to Planet Bluegrass’ day-to-day staff who works on the grounds—and they aim to keep it as pristine as possible.

That’s a tough task when so many people show up to enjoy the sublime pleasures of nature alongside amplified music. About 10,000 afficionados attend the three-day Telluride concert, and Planet Bluegrass’ other events each draw  3,500+ dancing and hula-hooping festivarians. But those numbers are actually smaller than other mega-festivals across the nation, making it easier for Planet Bluegrass to cultivate a doctrine of “sustainable festivation.”
Planet Bluegrass has committed to a sustainability doctrine, which is more like a thesis on the organization’s dedication to the cause, and has posted its ambitious, comprehensive sustainability document online. The effort has been so impressive that in 2007, Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. declared June 23 “Colorado Bluegrass Day,” honoring Planet Bluegrass for “using renewable energy to help protect our environment while producing a world-class festival.” The honor reflects the organization’s years of leading the way in sustainable festivation and the green festival movement in America.

“All our programs are voluntary, but we love it when festivarians help out,” says Brian Eyster, marketing and communications manager for Planet Bluegrass. One such program offered at every festival this year will be the “How Green is your Grass” campsite challenge. The idea is to leave a minimal footprint on the planet and to encourage creative, sustainable campsites (essentially a “leave no trace” philosophy put into practice). The contest will provide an incentive to campers to reduce waste.

To participate in the contest, festivarian campers must write down what they are doing to reduce, reuse and recycle at their campsites, take a few pictures and then post the results in the Festival Town area. Campers then vote on their favorite postings each day, which culminates into the voting of the grand prize-winning campsite at the end of the festival. The winner receives camping passes for the following year’s festival. In the past, festivarians have used solar panels to power blenders, composted all kitchen materials and even used a small hydro-turbine to power a disco ball. One Telluride camper explained that “between the renewable energy use and the composting of corn-based utensils, I felt like last year’s festival was not only music-tastic, but also eco-lightful.”

Planet Bluegrass not only provides compost containers at all campgrounds and festival areas, but it also offers locally filtered water at each venue. This is in an effort to limit the use of single-use bottles. Festivarians can bring their own reusable bottles from home or purchase one at the site and fill up for free. “Reuse” is the key word here. Although vendors use only compostable plates and utensils, Planet Bluegrass encourages folks to bring their own “reusable” silverware, napkins, plates, vintage beer cups (from previous festivals), water bottles, bags, tarps, etc. to the festival and to take them back home.

Planet Bluegrass has already made significant steps toward reducing waste at all its events. Since 2003, its goal has been to educate not only Planet Bluegrass staff but to share what they learn and to raise the bar on the art of sustainable festivation. For those who want to know more, the organization’s website includes a new Sustainable Festivation Blog, where they will provide updates (SustainableFestivation.com) and festivarians can check out the forum that includes tips and ride-shares (Festivarian.com).  •

High Side: Just to prove you don’t need to be a pro at FIBArk

I now realize that my magazine writing career began in 2004, with a ducky boat race down the Arkansas River. I was a clueless, if enthusiastic, 22-year-old intern at Hooked on the Outdoors. The Colorado-based magazine—which unfortunately folded, before so many others, in May of 2006—wasn’t able to pay me much of anything for my twice-weekly fact-checking and bookshelf-organizing services, but they did give me some cool gear and, toward the end of my summer in Boulder, they sent me to FIBARK on assignment.

I confess, I may have exaggerated my skill as a boatman in order to get the green light from the boss. In any case, my assignment was to represent the magazine in a gonzo journalist ducky boat race down the Arkansas aboard what I assumed would be a giant rubber duck. The magazine’s senior editor sent me off with simple instructions: Win.

Being an ambitious young man, I promised to oblige.

I spent most of the three-hour drive from Boulder to Salida  wondering just what a ducky boat looked like (could it really be an oversized, inflatable duck?) and how I might gain an unfair advantage over my duck-riding competitors.

When I arrived, I watched kayakers in the churning rapids, tried to stomach a little food, stretched, and then went to find a lifejacket two hours before the race. Um, safety first, right?

My own watercraft expertise at the time boiled down to a few flat-water canoe trips at summer camp a decade prior and the occasional chauffeured raft trip down class I or II rivers. The Arkansas, I learned that day, has Class IV rapids. I wouldn’t be running them on my ducky, the race organizer promised—unless I sailed past the take-out point. Ha ha!

I remember nothing between getting that lifejacket and stepping into the frigid waters of the Arkansas. But, all of a sudden, there I was with my heat (yes, there were heats for the duck-boat race), leaving the gates—in this case the shore—and, after a certain amount of bare-knuckle flailing in and out of the current, I found myself fighting for first place, going stroke for stroke with an old guy from a paddling magazine. My competitors were mostly twice my age, but they were river people, I thought. I’m hanging tough with river people!

Merely balancing on the ducky boat, which in some ways does look and maneuver like  a duck, was a challenge, much less paddling it with anything resembling technique. But, by sheer force of will, I was out front in the quarter-mile race through gates, heading for the final rapid.
In the interest of full disclosure, it should be noted that I had encouraged a female friend who lived in Boulder to come hang out and watch the race. This is what she saw: Charles looking triumphantly toward the shore, raising his paddle, then disappearing into a hydraulic he hadn’t properly judged that spat him out seconds later without his boat, his hat or his pride. The ducky finished first, without its rider.

I’ve been chasing it ever since.  •

Charles Bethea is a freelance writer who splits his time between the low piedmont of Atlanta and the high desert of Santa Fe.

If in doubt, just keep pouring

The day before the 30th annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Jumpin’ Jan, the town’s local, legendary radio personality, highlights the key points of a page-long list of rules. We are the select few who have decided to forgo the typical music festival wristband-and-tent-city experience in the name of volunteering at the KOTO Beer Booth. We page through the document. Most of the rules are straightforward, expected. Show up. Do so on time. Don’t give away beer. These make sense.

The next item is a bit more delicate. No drinking in the tent. Really? I look over at an equally disappointed friend/volunteer. Then comes the shocker. No tripping in the beer tent. This should be an interesting weekend.
I wouldn’t be telling you anything new if I said Telluride Bluegrass is the granddaddy of Colorado’s annual banjo-and-fiddle parties. Each June, thousands pack the town’s main park for four days to listen to music and stare at the majestic 12,000-foot-plus peaks that surround the stage. The legends always show: Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, Tim O’Brien.

The typical way to attend the shindig includes staking out a spot, sitting on a blanket or in a camp chair by day, drinking beers, trying to stay shaded from the sun and jamming out to everything from downhome bluegrass to eclectic pop. At night, you get tossed around in a crowd of thousands dancing with the rhythm of a tortoise.

Anyone who has made the pilgrimage to this gem of the southwest resort town knows that Bluegrass is one helluva party. Tent cities pop up nearby, providing some of the most elaborate, 24/7 tailgate parties imaginable. Complete strangers will invite you into their camp to try their Bloody Mary bar, pop open a PBR or partake in whatever else they happen to be passing around.

I have attended Bluegrass the traditional way many times and spent long afternoon hours baking in the Town Park sun. It is getting old. So this time around, I thought I’d give the Beer Booth—which is a massive fundraiser in support of KOTO, one of the last great community radio stations remaining in Colorado—a chance.

Serving as a Beer-Booth volunteer is a sort of rite of passage for Telluride locals, but the honor is by no means limited to residents. Many out-of-towners who return year after year for Bluegrass have discovered this tiny little secret. To be a volunteer, all you have to do is sign up (the earlier the better, spaces fill quickly) for three five-hour shifts to serve as the festival’s beer wenches. For all that hard work, KOTO buys your four-day festival pass (worth $175)—plus you pretty much don’t ever have to buy a beer.

I am assigned to the Thursday night, Saturday day and Sunday closing shifts. During the training meeting, we learn the basics of beer pouring from the kind folks over at New Belgium. It’s pretty darn simple: Fill up as many of the biodegradable plastic cups with as little foam as possible, collect some cash and hand out the proper change.

Over the course of three shifts, I spend an inordinate amount of time on my feet and learn  the hard way that open-toe sandals are not a good idea (picture a day’s worth of beer foam caked on the toes). Still, these five-hour shifts hardly feel like work. Instead, it’s a few hours spent socializing and listening to music bellow off the canyon walls.

We pour a few beers for the public then one for ourselves. Wait, you’re thinking, they’re breaking that no drinking rule. Well, there’s a loophole. Because the rule forbids drinking under the beer tent, all we have to do is step out from under the tent and tip one back. Technically that’s not in the booth. Not that it matters. One of my shift managers actually yells at me for not drinking enough and tells me to have more fun.

As if I need the push. By the time Saturday rolls around, I am the life of the booth (in my eyes anyway), ringing the tip bell every few minutes (all tips go to the nonprofit radio station) and finding creative ways to double the donations—and expedite my beer buzz.

When a willing participant arrives, I offer a simple challenge: Chug a beer quicker than me and it’s on the house, but if the patron loses, the cost doubles. I’m not sure if there is a rule against this practice, but I’m just 23 and fresh out of four years of University of Colorado training. Needless to say, the donations double more often than not.

I spend hours off-shift being the typical Bluegrass festivarian (although I think I only pay full price for three or four beers the entire festival), meet countless new friends and find some truly unique places to pee all while the best bluegrass in Colorado plays on the main stage.

To be honest, it’s a minor miracle that I’m still standing by the time I finish my shift on Saturday. Better yet, I’m still making accurate change.

Fresh off the shift, I plow into the crowd, looking for friendly faces willing to share some of their prime space. It doesn’t take long before I’m groovin’ to Yonder Mountain String Band and Vince Gill with complete strangers and having the time of my life.

By the time the Sam Bush Band makes its way on stage to close out the festival on Sunday night, I’ve battled three epic hangovers, partied my way until 3 in the morning every night and developed a fan club. So what if it’s just one-member deep? She’s pretty darn cute. And—in the true spirit of the festival—she gives me her extra ticket to an after-hours concert at the historic Sheridan Opera House where we dance until well past last call.

This chance meeting sums up the types of people you run into at Bluegrass, whether you’re working the Booth or not. Everyone from Boulder yuppies to dred-sporting, patchouli-stinking hippies to middle-aged bluegrass aficionados comes here to shed off those labels and just be a part of the experience. All you have to do is follow the unwritten rules.  •

Jacob Haskins is the editor of Kickstand, a magazine devoted to cruiser bikes that will hit newsstands this June.

Do It: You can volunteer to work the beer booth, too. Contact WKOTO, koto.org

Whether you’re into music, sport, food, film or culture, our guide to this season’s best festivals is your roadmap to summer and fall fun. Plus, we recommend the best eats and rides, climbs and other outdoor activities in close proximity to the hubbub. Mark your calendar, pack the Subaru, and don’t forget the hula-hoop.

Check out our nation-wide festival resource, CultureBin.com

Boulder Dirt Days Earth Day Fest

When/Where: April 19, Boulder

What: The brain child of world-class climber and founder of the Adventure Film Festival Jonny Copp, Dirt Days is an all-ages event that includes everything from climbing wall contests to exhibits on how to save the planet.

Local Adventure: The time (and flows) should be ripe for tubing down Boulder Creek. Beware high water.

Eats/Drinks: Try the vegetarian BBQ plate at Leaf (303-442-1485; leafvegetarianrestaurant.com).

Info: adventurefilm.org

New Belgium Fruita Fat Tire Festival

When/Where: April 23–26, Fruita

What: The singletrack in Fruita is pure, built by mountain bikers for mountain bikers. The festival celebrates that vibe with tons of social rides and a beer garden.

Local Adventure: Want a day off from singletrack? Paddle the Colorado. Ruby/Horsethief offers easy class I–II water, while Westwater is a wild class IV ride.

Info: fruitamountainbike.com

5Point Film Festival

When/Where: May 7–10, Carbondale

What: More than a sports movie testosterone fest, 5Point is focused around athletes who want to make movies that go beyond athletic achievement to actually make some type of difference in the world. Don’t miss the panel on Saturday with Jenni Lowe-Anker and Conrad Anker on the Khumbu Climbing School.

Local Adventure: Take a spin on the singletrack on Red Hill or a road ride on the Rio Grande Trail, both just outside town.

Eats/Drinks: Two words: Phat Thai (970-963-7001; phatthai.com).

Info: 5pointfilm.org

MountainFilm in Telluride

When/Where: May 22–25, Telluride

What: More of a social happening than just a film festival, MountainFilm is an artistic happening including art, conversation and, of course, movies. This year’s thematic focus will be on food—looking at everything from obesity to overpopulation. Keynote speaker Bill McKibben is not to be missed.

Local Adventure: The gondola that runs between Telluride and Mountain Village is free, giving access to the entire mountain. Trek back to Prospect Ridge and dip into Alta Lakes for an epic ride on singletrack.

Eats/Drinks: Sushi in the mountains? Despite a complicated formula involving distance from the ocean, size of airport and relative isolation, Honga’s Lotus Petal may be the best in the country. Don’t miss the mojitos (970-728-5134; hongaslotuspetal.com).

Info: Mountainfilm.org

Teva Mountain Games

When/Where: June 4–7, Vail

What: There is as yet no other event like the Mountain Games, a spectator friendly celebration of outdoor sports. The kayak action in the middle of town is the big highlight but we are partial to the big splashes of the mountain dog contest. And it’s not just for the pros—anyone can enter contests that range from a mud run to a multi-sport Ultimate Mountain Challenge to a fly-fishing contest. Plus, films, concerts and Vail nightlife keep it all pumping.

Eats/Drinks: We’re partial to pizza at The Blue Moose (970-476-8666; bluemoosepizza.com).

Info: tevamountaingames.com

Palisade Bluegrass and Roots Music Fest

When/Where: June 12–14, Palisade

What: Held on the banks of the Colorado, this laid-back festival features bluegrass, roots, Celtic, old-time and other acoustic music. The lineup this year includes Cadillac Sky, Moira Smiley and Voco, and Kane, Welch and Kaplin. And remember, this is the heart of Colorado wine country and local vintages will be a featured.

Local Adventure: Get a little dose of Colorado Plateau red rock hiking at nearby Colorado National Monument.

Eats/Drinks: You can’t visit Palisade without partaking in a wine tasting, but instead of opting for the juice of grapes why not try some honey wine? The Meadery of the Rockies (970-464-7899; rocky-mountain-meadery.com) is the place to feel like a Viking.

Info: palisademusic.org

Telluride Bluegrass

When/Where: June 18–21, Telluride

What:  What to say? It is still the bluegrass festival in Colorado, perhaps in the world—and despite clichés and complaints about the music straying from roots fare, it’s still something you have to experience at least once in your life. This year’s lineup includes Elvis Costello and David Byrne alongside Yonder Mountain String Band, Emmylou Harris, Shawn Colvin and, as always, Sam Bush.

Local Adventure: Burn off your hangover on the Jud Wiebe Trail. This 2.7-mile loop leaves from town. It’s a short, but steep hike, climbing rapidly to a 10,200-foot ridge overlooking the ski area.

Eats/Drinks: You will need to recover in the morning. La Cocina de Luz’s breakfast burritos are worth the wait (970-728-9355; lacocinatelluride.com).

Info: bluegrass.com

Festivarian in action

FIBArk

When/Where: June 18–21, Salida

What: For 61 years, boaters have converged on the Arkansas River in Salida to celebrate the joy of paddling. Anything you can race down a river gets in on the action here—from raft races to freestyle comps. There are even non-river events including a bike race and skate park comp.

Local Adventure: The Monarch Crest Tail gets all the mountain biking love, but local activists have built a brand new and very enjoyable trail system on S Mountain that’s well worth exploring. Ask for info at Absolute Bikes (888-539-9295; www.absolutebikes.com).

Eats/Drinks: The Boathouse Cantina (719-539-5004; boathousecantina.com) is the place to munch on a brat while taking in the happenings on the river.

Info: fibark.net

Jazz Aspen Snowmass

When/Where: June 18-27, Aspen, and September 4-6, Snowmass

What: One of the greatest jazz happenings on the planet has been expanded to 10 days in downtown Aspen this year. Though it may not espouse the hula-hooping festivarian vibe of other events, it’s certainly got the chops. The Labor Day edition at Snowmass focuses more on rock, R&B and world music and will feature Michael Franti and Spearhead.

Local Adventure: Leaving straight out of Snowmass and ending in Aspen, The Government Trail is a prime mountain bike ride or trail run (it is after all the course for Aspen’s Golden Leaf Half Marathon each fall).

Eats/Drinks: Snowmass’ crown jewel for libations is Sneaky’s Tavern (970-923-8787; sneakystavern.com) in the base area. Modeled after Aspen’s Ajax Tavern, its eats drinks and atmosphere are first-class.

Info: jazzaspen.org

Fat Tire Bike Week

When/Where: June 24–28, Crested Butte

What: This festival honors Crested Butte as the birthplace of mountain biking and includes everything from guided rides for newbies to a chainless race. Need we say more?

Local Adventure: For a little yin to balance out all the yang of hardcore biking, go fly-fishing on the Gunnison and its tributaries with Troutfitter Sports (866-349-1323; troutfitter.com).

Eats/Drinks: Nothing beats Teocali Tamale after a hard ride (970.349.2005).

Info: ftbw.com

Gunnison River Fest

When/Where: June 26–28, Gunnison

What: While all the cyclists grunt it out up in CB, the folks downriver are getting wet. This soulful paddlefest features a whitewater play hole comp and a fun build-your-own-boat Hooligan race that’s worth trying.

Local Adventure: Gunnison lays claim to some fine, under-hyped mountain biking, including the Rage in the Sage trail, scene of the eponymous race.

Eats/Drinks: Soul food in the middle of Colorado? Hell yes. Head to Sugah’s Café (970-641-4990; sugahscafe.com) for your fix of grits and Po’ Boys.

Info: gunnisonriverfestival.com

Crested Butte Wildflower Festival

When/Where: July 6–12, Crested Butte

What: If you ever stopped for a second instead of bombing down that singletrack you might notice that Crested Butte is full of wildflowers. For those who aren’t stuck with the fat tire fetish, this festival offers a chance to smell the roses, or, um, elephant head. Take part in guided hikes or—wait for it—mountain bike rides.

Local Adventure: Few people talk about the climbing in CB, but the trad routes at Taylor Canyon are well worth checking out.

Eats/Drinks: Did we already tell you that we dig Teocali Tomale (970-349-2005)?

Info: crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com

Rockygrass

When/Where: July 24–26, Lyons

What: Adherents refer to it as the “real” bluegrass festival, and this year’s lineup adds credence to that claim: There will be the obligatory (Sam Bush and Del McCoury), as well as the eclectic (Alaskan band Barefoot) and political (Steve Earle and the Bluegrass Dukes). Plus, it’s the best place to hop in an after-hours picking circle.

Eats/Drinks: The Stone Cup (303-823-2345; thestonecup.com) is so hip to sustainability issues that they even use uncooked spaghetti noodles as coffee stirs. Brilliant.

Info: bluegrass.com

Crestone Music Festival

When/Where: August 7–9, Crestone

What: Ah, Crestone. Vortex of transcendental oneness where Christians, pagans and adherents of the flying spaghetti monster have all learned to get along. So it is at the music festival, which includes all the expected food, art and community that draws festivarians from around the nation. Previous years’ lineups have featured artists such as Richie Havens, Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, and Leon Russel.

Local Adventure: Hike to Willow Creek Lake, one of the most beautiful spots in the Sangre de Cristos.

Eats/Drinks: For gastronomic enlightenment, head to the Shambala Café (719-256-4959)

Info: crestfest.org

Palisade Peach Festival

When/Where: August 13–16, Palisade

What: It’s far more than fruit (though make sure to take a bite of some mouth-watering Western Slope peaches right off the tree). Events include wine tastings, a five-mile run, a car show and, of course, the peach-eating contest.

Local Adventure: By August, often overlooked mountain bike rides on Grand Mesa are open for singletrack business—the Crag Crest Trail is great place to start.

Eats/Drinks: Opt for a different fruit—the grape—with a tasting at the Colorado Cellars Winery (800-848-2812; coloradocellars.com), the oldest winery in the Colorado.

Info: palisadepeachfest.com

Folks Festival

When/Where: August 14–16, Lyons

What: With far less of the festivarian fanfare of Telluride Bluegrass and Rockygrass, Planet Bluegrass’ Folks Festival is a good choice if you just want to relax in your lawn chair and take in the tunes. On the docket for the 2009 edition are Susan Tedeschi, Rufus Wainwright and Scottish legend Dougie MacLean.

Local Adventure: Pull yourself together for a big road ride climb up to Allenspark—and prepare yourself for a screaming ride down.

Eats/Drinks: Grab a Dales Pale Ale at Oskar Blues (303-823-6685; oskarblues.com) and you just may rub elbows with some grizzled folkies—or catch an impromptu show.

Info: bluegrass.com

Four Corners Folk Festival

When/Where: September 4–6, Pagosa Springs

What: Maybe not as well known as other more hyped festivals, Four Corners draws star power. This year’s lineup includes Anne and Peter Sibley, Tim O’Brien, and The Subdudes, and past highlights have included performances by Delbert McClinton, Nickel Creek and Del McCoury. A true grassroots effort, the non-profit festival asks attendees to join its “street team” to engage in guerilla marketing for the event.

Local Adventure: Pagosa is famed for its developed hot springs, but for a soak in a natural tub with a view, make the 13-mile hike to Rainbow Hot Springs.

Eats/Drinks: Grab some goodies or just a plain, delicious baguette at the Pagosa Baking Company (970-264-9348; pagosabakingcompany.com).

Info: folkwest.com

Monolith Music Festival at Red Rocks

When/Where: September (dates TBD), Morrison

What: Monolith not only takes advantage of the dramatic panorama of the main stage at Red Rocks as a showcase for Indy rock, but also features four other stages throughout the area’s grounds. Last year, Vampire Weekend, Silversun Pickups and Devotchka brought power to the main stage, while Del the Funky Homo Sapien got butts moving in the pavilion and Liam Finn absolutely rocked the club-style stage in the visitor’s center.

Local Adventure: Remember this mountain bike ride: Lair O’Bear.

Eats/Drinks: Grab a beer and burrito at the Morrison Inn (303-697-6650) and you’ll be in the company of a diverse group that includes everyone from iPod head-boppers to Hell’s Angels.

Info: monolithfestival.com

Taos MountainFilm

When/Where: October 9–12, Taos

What: Since 2001, this mountain-focused film festival has featured impassioned work from across the globe. Last year’s winners included Journey of a Red Fridge, the story of a Nepalese porter who hauls a Coke fridge across the Himalaya, and Nick Waggoner’s Hand Cut, a ski movie that explores the soul of the sport alongside the adrenaline.

Local Adventure: The highest spot in New Mexico, 13,161-foot Wheeler Peak is just outside of Taos and a good objective for a well-planned one-day assault.

Eats/Drinks: Yes, there are a ton of spots for your typical New Mexican fare but we can’t stay away from Taos Pizza Out Back (505-758-2374).

Info: mountainfilm.net