Coming Home

August 26, 2008

Michael & Kathy

Nanci Griffith

Coming Home



Missy Higgins

The final day of the Folks Fest dawned clear and sunny. A welcome, perfect day that had children back playing in the St. Vrain River, sun block making an appearance and a chance for some of the mud to actually dry out. We actually opted out of much of the day’s music, we were still in reverie from the previous evening’s performance by Nanci Griffith and we wanted to spend some time visiting Estes Park with our friends Kate & Sarah.

Kate & Sarah

Mostly we wanted to have an early dinner at The Rock Inn, the restaurant owned by our friends Kerry & Bruce (and rated #1 in Estes by Trip Advisor). It was, once again a wonderful meal in a beautiful and fantastic setting. The steak is incredible and the Devil’s on Horseback appetizers (roasted garlic stuffed, bacon wrapped dates) were to die for. It was the culmination of a fun day spent shopping and checking out the quaint little tourist town of Estes Park.

Mike

Missy Higgins



After eating, we headed back to Planet Bluegrass to close out the Folks Fest; the final performers of the event were Missy Higgins, Tim O’Brien and KT Tunstall. I would especially recommend Missy Higgins, she was great and it was a perfect culmination to what had been an at times difficult but still satisfying weekend.
It’s difficult to assess why we return each year, the music and setting are great, but there is something deeper and more primal about it that makes it so special. I had a long discussion with my friend Kerry about this, about how enjoyable it is to see our friends each year and the wonderful community of family & friends that surround them.

Mary & Terry

Kerry & Bruce

Nathan

Somehow they manage to create a community easy going and like-minded free spirits that includes their family, friends, and the staff of their restaurant and even their acquaintances that feels like coming home to Kathy & me each year when we visit. The regulars we see each year, the new friends we make and even the wider group of attendees of the Folks Fest are all so welcoming and friendly that we feel a sense of relaxation and comfort that recharges us each year before the fall season, the start of school and the rollercoaster that is season in Key West commences. We want to thank everyone and are looking forward to seeing them all again next year.

Muddy Fun

Kerry & Ella

By now the mud at Planet Bluegrass has probably died, and we have, after some complications from Tropical Storm Fay, have returned to Key West for the beginning of classes at the Key West Preschool Co-op, but we have already marked our calendars to go home again at next year’s Folks Fest.

Nanci


KT Tunstall

* Videos courtesy of YouTube


Missy Higgins

The Rock Inn website

Folks Fest

August 24, 2008

Todd Snider





Folks Fest



The first day of Folks Fest dawned rainy and cold, but that did not stop us from getting a coveted front row location in the pop-up section of the field. The process for entry is a bizarre lottery system in which spots in line are offered in a lottery system for people who line up after midnight. The first night’s lottery happened at about 1:30 AM and I joined some 600 or so people in line, getting a number in the low 200s.

Great Lakes Swimmers



Bruce took over from there, lining up again in the morning and rushing in to secure our spot once the gates opened. The importance of having a good pop up space was heightened due to the weather and the increased need for rain protection. The rain was heavy at times and lasted the better part of the day. The music however, went on as scheduled and it was amazing to see the majority of the crowd sit in the wind and rain all day long.



The musical line-up was awesome as usual; day one featured the Boulder Acoustic Society, Shawn Mullins, Dar Williams, Josh Ritter, Patty Griffin and Amos Lee on the main stage and the likes of Amy Speace and Madi Diaz at the Wildflower pavilion. Despite the inclement weather, we managed to have an awesome time, enjoying the excellent music and fine company in our dry and cozy pop-up.

Shawn Mullins

Dar Williams



Amos Lee- "Fat Bottomed Girls"

Unfortunately, Kathy had a flare up of a chronic back problem at the end of the day which prompted a late night visit to the emergency room at the hospital in Longmont. There she received some relief from medication and after a night in a warm and dry hotel room, we were able to make it back to Planet Bluegrass for day 2. Bruce and his friends had come through once again, this time scoring number 4 in the lottery and being able to snare our spot again.

Josh Ritter

Todd Snider



The rain had continued throughout the night and lasted well into the day. The line-up for day 2 featured Sarah Sample, Steve Seskin, Susan Werner, the Great Lake Swimmers, Todd Snider, The Waifs, Greg Brown & Nanci Griffith on the main stage. Thus one of my favorite’s (Todd Snider) and Kathy’s (Nanci Griffith) appeared on the same stage. They both delivered outstanding sets and thankfully, the rain had stopped before either took the stage.

Patty Griffin




Josh Ritter

Todd Snider

Nanci Griffith