A Taste of Colorado Rock ’n Rolls into 30th Anniversary

There’s something for every kind of rock fan on the KBCO World Class Rock Stage at the 30th annual A Taste of Colorado. The four-day, free admission, food, music, and entertainment Festival will take place Labor Day weekend, Aug. 30  through Sept. 2, in Downtown Denver’s Civic Center Park.

American rock and soul band PLACES will kick things off Friday at 11:30 a.m. Megan Burtt will offer up her folk/pop melodies at 2:15 p.m. Blue-eyed soul and rock ’n roll songwriter Carson Allen will entertain at 5:30 p.m. Playing a variety of musical styles from rock, funk, R&B, and contemporary, Soul School will get people moving at 8:15 p.m.

On Saturday, pop/rock and gypsy jazz band Lost Caravan will take the stage at 10:45 a.m. Aaron Hart entertains the crowd with a sound reminiscent of the Goo Goo Dolls and The Beach Boys at 1:30 p.m. Four-piece pop punk band Calibrate Me will perform at 4:45 p.m. Tunisia will play favorites, from classic to contemporary, at 8:15 p.m.

Singer/songwriter Lindsey Saunders lends her unique sound and acoustic guitar styling on Sunday at 10:45 a.m. Blues and rock singer Tyler Stanfield will take the stage at 1:30 p.m. The Wendy Woo Band will entertain the crowd with a mix of rock, blues, folk, and jazz at 4:45 p.m. With their pop-infused indie/alternative songs, Fierce Bad Rabbit will conclude the night at 8 p.m.

Opening Monday at 10:45 a.m. is the local female-fronted synthrock/synthpop group AdrienneO.  The ethereal harmonies and infectious pop-folk of SHEL will fill the air at 1:30 p.m. Five 13 will perform originals and covers influenced by the great arena bands of the past and contemporary favorites at 3:45 p.m. Contemporary funk band Hot Lunch will close out the Festival at 6 p.m.

In addition to the KBCO World Class Rock Stage, the Access Health Colorado Main Stage and three other entertainment stages located throughout the Festival will serve up a continuous menu of music, including the KYGO Country Stage and the Colorado Heritage Stage presented by Westword.

More than 50 of Colorado’s favorite food establishments will be selling a wide variety of small portions to full meals, ensuring that there will be something for every palate. The Fine Dining area will host some of Denver’s finest restaurants. The Albert Bartlett Culinary Showcase features local and nationally-renowned chef demonstrations creating simple, yet elegant meals.

Festivalgoers can shop in more than 280 Marketplace booths for original arts and crafts, home and gift items, furniture, jewelry, imports, and more. Fine Art in the Park will display original works in a variety of mediums created by artists from around the country. Shoppers also can explore the Home & Lifestyles area, which features a variety of exhibitors displaying products and services such as window installation, kitchen remodeling, cookware, basement refinishing, and salons and spas.

There will be plenty of music, magic, clowns, and puppets on the Comfort Dental KidzStage, and the KidZone features play equipment and hands-on craft activities. Kids and adults also can enjoy carnival rides and games Saturday through Monday.

In the Festival of Mountain and Plain area, families can learn about the state’s pioneer past, nature, and the environment. Featured artisans will demonstrate Navajo weaving and culture, spinning, rug braiding, lace crocheting, felting, and quilting, along with the popular blacksmith demonstration. At the Raptor Education Foundation (REF) exhibit, children can learn about birds, their environment, and their interactions with humans.

Sponsors of this year’s Festival are: 9NEWS, Access Health Colorado, Aggreko, LLC, Albert Bartlett, All Copy Products, American Medical Response, APLMED Academy, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly, Blue Moon, Bluegreen Vacations, Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Mobile Tour, Chobani Champions, Coast 2 Coast Communications, Colorado HealthOP, Colorado Lottery, Colorado Native, Comfort Dental, Coors Banquet, Costco Wholesale, Courtyard by Marriott Denver Downtown, Cutarelli Vision, The Denver Post, Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc., Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que, Ford Experience Tour, Grand Lodge on Peak 7, LBA Realty, Levinson Eye Clinic, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Nature’s Path Foods, Inc., Peach Street Distillery, PEPSI, Residence Inn Denver City Center, Roundhouse Spirits, Sports Clips Haircuts, Sturgeon Electric, SVEDKA Vodka, and TownePlace Suites Denver Downtown.

Festival hours are Friday, Aug. 30, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 31, and Sunday, Sept. 1, 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Monday, Sept. 2, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Festival of Mountain and Plain … A Taste of Colorado is a community celebration that is produced by and benefits Downtown Denver Events, Inc., the Downtown Denver Partnership family’s community events nonprofit organization. The Festival is an opportunity for people throughout the region to come together to experience and appreciate our diverse cultural traditions, and to learn more about our state’s Western heritage. The Festival highlights visual and performing arts in addition to featuring educational programs and culinary demonstrations.

Visit www.ATasteofColorado.com, www.facebook.com/ATasteofColorado, www.twitter.com/ATasteofCO, or call (303) 295-6330 for more information.