Elaine Chick, Miss Sophia Peace Center and promoter extraordinaire, is the new director for the 2014 Dolores River Festival, scheduled to take place June. 7.
This will be the 11th year for the festival, a popular fundraiser for Greater Dolores Action. Chick's background in concert promotion and festivals guarantees a memorable event.
"This year, there won't be any major changes, but we do want to attract more people from the area," Chick said. "It is a music festival, but it is also about raising awareness of the Dolores River and how important it is for the community."
Chick has been in the music business for 20 years, and has handled very large events. She also is a management consultant for the Sophia Peace Center, an event venue north of Dolores.
She organized live music at five celebration sites during the 2010 Olympics and Paralympic Games in Vancouver. She has done promotions for Bryan Adams, Bachman Turner Overdrive, and Lover Boy, to name a few. She was an organizer and promoter for events at the Pan American Games.
In keeping with the tradition of the event, a wide variety of live music is planned, with an emphasis on diversity.
"There is plenty of bluegrass around here, so we want to offer a lot of different styles," Chick said. "I've produced a lot of festivals. This one is for the community, and it offers a wide variety of music and events."
Last year, 1,200 people attended, listening and dancing to live music, enjoying local food vendors, participating in free raft rides, and learning about the Dolores River. Peak attendance in past years reached 2,500 ticket buyers.
"If we can draw more people, it will enable us to look for a bigger headline act," Chick said. "We like to focus on regional musicians, big and small."
Other highlights of this year's festival include a Crazy Costume River Parade, Free Raft Rides, the River Dog Contest, live music on two stages, children activities and crafts, art and dance events, information booths from community organizations, and beer and food vendors.
A fundraiser for the Dolores River Festival will take place April 11th from 5:30-10 pm at the Dolores Community Center. Film shorts from the Telluride Film Festival will be shown and Food and beverages will be available. Donated items are needed for the silent auction.
Proceeds from the Dolores River Festival go toward river education, cleanup and preservation efforts. In past years, funding paid for removing 35 rusting vehicles in the river. Another project is improving safe boating access on the river.
This year, the price for admission will be $15 for the all-day music event.
Volunteers are a key component of the festival. If you want to donate your time or auction items contact Elaine at (970) 759-8818 or email her at doloresriverfestivaldirector@gmail.com
For more information on the event, visit www.doloresfestival.com.
