Concert Series Lineup Announced

RIDGWAY – Greg Clifton, town manager of Ridgway, was excited to report on Monday that contributions to this summer’s Pickin’ in the Park concert series, which will be held July 8, 15 and 22 in Hartwell Park, have already crossed the $8,000 mark. The town is well on its way to raising the $20,000 needed to put on the live music events, he said.

The lineup for this year’s series of shows has T Bird & the Breaks, an 11-piece band from Austin, Tex., taking the stage on July 8, followed by Bearfoot on July 15, featuring modern acoustic sounds. For the final show of the series on July 22, Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside will take the stage.

For the past two years the Town of Ridgway has been able to provide funding for the concert series, but with this year's tight budget they were unable to set aside the required funding. This year's concerts will be funded entirely through sponsorships, contributions and community fundraising events. Since the campaign to raise $20,000 began just over a month ago, $8,000 has already been raised.

“Funds are coming in and it is all really impressive,” Clifton said. Six major sponsors (over $1,000 in contributions) have already stepped up, including Mountain Market, Ponderosa Realty, Alpine Bank, Orvis Hot Springs, and Black Canyon Rentals. Clifton said the town is now working with local breweries, including the Colorado Boy Pub and Brewery, to sponsor each of the Pickin' in the Park concerts, with beer sales proceeds being applied to the cost of putting on the concerts.

According to Clifton, other major sponsors are helping raise money with in-kind contributions, including Fishbone Graphics and Screen Printing and Smyth’s Pub and Chop House. “We have received a lot of smaller, just-as-important donations as well,” he added.

A lineup of other community events is also being scheduled to raise money for the concerts, said Clifton. First, a brunch/small plate special with drinks and live music is being scheduled for April 25 at Smyth’s. Then on Friday, May 28, a block party is being planned on Clinton Street; details are still being ironed out. Finally, on June 12, Ridgway’s Love Your Valley Festival will provide fundraising for the Pickin’ series.

“A lot of people are coming in with great ideas,” Clifton said. “I am sure these will be some fun community events that will help generate the proceeds we need. I am finding that people are willing to support music in Ridgway.

To contribute to Ridgway’s Pickin’ in the Park concert series, email pkraft@town.ridgway.co.us or gclifton@town.ridgway.co.us.