A hot time at Burning Mountain Festival
Post Independent Staff
NEW CASTLE – The Burning Mountain Festival lived up to its name Saturday. Hot weather, sizzling music and spicy treats were the order of the day.
One dog even tried to seek shelter in the beer truck.
“We had a dog in the beer cooler. We went to change the CO2 and there’s this cute, darling collie in the beer cooler,” beer garden supervisor Dee Gwin said. “He was hot. He must have hopped in when it was open.”
Fortunately, the cooled-off collie was unharmed and soon reunited with his master.
At Burning Mountain Park in the early afternoon, kids of all ages enjoyed the eclectic line of food vendors as they listened to music from bands such as Downvalley Trash and Cowboy Attitude.
Between those bands, the Western Slope Stompers – a tap dancing group – danced the day away.
“The Western Slope Stompers, they were excellent,” emcee Cyn Cyr said.
Cyr said she also enjoyed the Casey Beauchamp Dancers.
Glenwood Springs fire chief Mike Piper, a New Castle resident, said he was having a nice time as he took a stroll with his wife, Miki, and their two grandchildren Braeden and Camden Piper.
Under a nearby tree, a group of about 15 kids watched intently as a magician showed them card tricks.
Meanwhile, at Ritter Park, a small but attentive audience enjoyed Aspen songwriter Dan Sheridan’s performance under the blazing-hot sun. Sheridan sang about sheep, eternity and how much “big money ruins everything.”
Over at the New Castle Community Center, New Castle Art Guild members were playing it cool. The center was one of the few places at the festival where people could escape the sun.
The guild was hosting Artphest, an art show and contest that included participants from preschool all the way up to professional adults.
In all, there were 120 works of art created by kids and 85 pieces from adults.
“We start planning in January,” Artphest chairwoman Jeanie Hoppal said. “We start advertising for artists in March.”
Ellen Klement, spokeswoman for the guild, said Artphest was going well.
“We’ve been selling a lot of pieces. People are really excited,” she said.
Contact Greg Masse: 945-8515, ext. 511
Today’s Burning Mountain Festival schedule:
7 a.m. – 4-H Club Pancake Breakfast
10 a.m. – New Hope Church in the Park
11 a.m. – One Voice Gospel Singers
1 p.m. – Gold Rush Dancers
6 p.m. – Family Bowling
Tournament, New Castle SuperBowl
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