The Dolores River Festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary at Joe Rowell Park this Saturday, June 1.
For an entrance fee of $10, attendees will enjoy music, vendors, adult beverages, festival food, free raft rides, a river dog competition, plus a lot more. Gates open at 10 a.m. Kids 12 and younger are free.
"This year, we expanded our budget, and we are pulling out all the stops," said festival director Jay Loschert. "There is something for everyone, and it's a great way to relax, enjoy the river, see all your friends and listen to great live music."
Two stages will feature multiple local and national bands throughout the day.
Two headliners this year will entertain. Nosotros, a popular Latin rock band from Las Cruces, N.M., will play from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The band combines Latin rhythms with elements of flamenco, jazz, salsa and rock.
Then West Water Outlaws will hit the stage at 6:30 p.m. This Boulder-based band made its name hosting house parties around the University of Colorado and recently won the battle of the bands competition there.
Also on the main stage: Caitlin Cannon and The Artillery, The Stereofidelics and Samantha Crain. The side stage features the Sleeping Ukes, Hello Dollface and Learning for Yeti.
"One of my favorite things about the festival is dancing to the music, looking around and seeing everyone you know right there beside you having a good time," Loschert said. "For me, the festival marks the beginning of summer fun."
A new tradition is the river costume parade, a comical display of bizarre and creative outfits and decorated boats. Meet at Riverside Park at 10 a.m. and float to the festival.
Free raft rides will also be available for the Town Run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sign up at the Dolores River Boating Advocates booth.
The river dog contest, sponsored by Zukes, takes place under the Highway 145 bridge from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Dogs are timed fetching a tennis ball thrown into the river. Sign up at the Zuke's booth before 1 p.m.
The event is very kid-friendly, as well. The popular aerial-performance contraption will be on display and lessons are available. Kids and adults can learn to make pottery using the clay pinch-pot method, taught by Painted Turtle Studios. There is a make your own hula hoop course, a hula hoop contest, a watermelon-eating contest, a limbo contest and hip-hop dance lessons.
Loschert emphasized the 14 nonprofit groups that will have booths set up.
"There is so much information about how to get involved in your community and about local education programs, volunteer opportunities and ways to contribute," he said.
In order to cut down on plastic-cup debris, this year participants are encouraged to bring their own pint-size, non-glass beverage holder for drink refills.
The festival is hosted by Greater Dolores Action, a nonprofit organization that promotes scientific, restoration and stewardship projects for the Dolores River. Sponsorship donations from the festival go toward river-enhancing activities, including cleanup efforts, habitat improvement and education.
Volunteers are still needed. For information, email volunteer@doloresriverfestival.com. Volunteers receive free admission, a free T-shirt and a free beer. Also, there will a volunteer festival cleanup the next day, June 2, at 9:30 a.m., organized by Leave No Trace and the Dolores Boating Advocates.
