The third annual Nordfest will transform Mancos Brewing into a vibrant festival on Saturday, June 14 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., bringing together five local bands, local breweries and community members to raise funds for cancer support organizations in Southwest Colorado.
The event, born from Mancos resident Erik Nordstrom’s battle with prostate cancer, continues to grow as a way to rally around community members as they fight against cancer.
Though the event is free, a $20 donation is suggested. All proceeds will benefit the Cancer Support Community Southwest Colorado and the Cancer Resource Alliance of Montezuma and Dolores Counties.
These organizations provide resources, emotional support and financial assistance to cancer patients and their families. Five local breweries, Mancos Brewing, Ska Brewing, Anarchy Brewing, Dolores River Brewery and WildEdge Brewing Collective, alongside Fenceline Cider, will offer a variety of beverages for those in attendance.
The musical lineup is a mix of genres, featuring Bluegrouse at 3 p.m., Group Shower at 4 p.m., Dana Ariel & the Comin’ Up Roses at 5 p.m., The Crags at 6 p.m. and Farmington Hill at 7 p.m. Organizers expect a lively crowd, with dancing encouraged throughout the event. Attendees are advised to bring chairs for the five hour-concert.
Nordfest traces its origins to June 2023 after Nordstrom faced a diagnosis of prostate cancer. In the midst of his chemotherapy treatment, friends rallied to organize a benefit concert they named “Nordfest” to help cover medical expenses and lift his spirits.
The event helped Nordstrom shift his attention from his cancer battle to celebrating the community of people around him. Inspired by this support, Nordstrom envisioned Nordfest as an annual tradition to give back to others battling cancer in Southwest Colorado.
“I was having a lot of reflections on my purpose for living and all of that, and one thing I really wanted to do was to give back because it was very humbling and an honor that people wanted to support us,” Nordstrom told The Journal in 2024.
The festival not only raises funds but also serves as a space for remembrance and celebration, honoring those lost to cancer while uplifting survivors and their families.
Sponsors include Brand Central, KDUR, KSJD, KSUT, Music Masters and Jimmy’s Music, whose contributions help cover event costs and maximize donations. Individuals such as Bryant Liggett, Wynn Jones, Kathy Hands, Jody Chapel, Toni Abbey and Sue Tompkins were also noted to having been instrumental in sustaining Nordfest as a tradition in the community.
Organizers hope Nordfest 2025 will draw an even larger crowd, building on the momentum of the past two years, to make a lasting impact on cancer support services in the region. For those unable to attend, donations can still be made to the Cancer Support Community of Southwest Colorado and the Cancer Resource Alliance of Montezuma and Dolores Counties.
