SOUTH FORK— There is only one more week before the annual Rhythms on the Rio Music Festival hits South Fork and the South Fork Music Association (SFMA) is biting at the bit to get things underway. This year will the 13th festival to take place in South Fork and everyone is talking about how great the event is going to be. “I think this is going to be our best year. We have an amazing lineup, more vendors and food trucks than we have ever had, and our camping spots are booked up. We are getting really excited,” said SFMA President Paul Orr.
The event started out small, a group of local musicians that wanted to do something that not only brought people to the South Fork area but helped promote musical education for school age students. It wasn’t long before the event took hold, bringing people and bands from over 19 states and beyond to participate in the fundraising event. Throughout the years, the SFMA has donated thousands of dollars to area students and school music programs, helping to keep music in Valley schools.
“We had one incident recently that really spoke to me. A group of teens out of
 La Jara were getting ready to join a gang, and thanks to our donation that helped buy musical equipment and instruments, these teenagers changed their minds. They now spend their free time writing songs and going out to speak to other teens about how there are better things to do than join in gangs. It was a really remarkable thing and that is exactly why we do what we do,” said Orr.
“The other thing we have been involved with is the Adams State drumming program. Children 15 and under can join this program for free, learn how to use percussion. The program is doing really well, and we were happy to donate some funding to help get them off the ground. There are a lot of musical programs in the Valley that have survived because of what we do. It’s important work that we plan on continuing,” stated Orr.
The festival will kick off next Friday, Aug. 3 with concerts by Charlie Wheeler, Elder Grown, Grant Farm and Dumpsta Phunk. There will be plenty for the entire family to enjoy including the newly installed frisbee golf course that was completed last year. The 18-hole course is a highlight of the event, bringing a new set of people to the festival. Several local businesses including the South Fork Visitor Center helped by donating baskets to complete the course that outlines the camping area near the main festival field.
Saturday is packed with folk and bluegrass bands from around the country, bringing family friendly tunes to the festival grounds. The day starts off with restorative yoga provided by YogaDurango and then let the good times roll. The lineup begins with the Shaky Hand String Band, Liver Down the River and many more with headliner Keller Williams’ PettyGrass performing that night.
Sunday is a great day to say goodbye with a lineup starting after the daily yoga class with Vineyard Worship by the Looney Family and ending in the afternoon with Euforquestra, a local band that has gained speed over the last several years and has become one of the Valley’s favorites.
For a full list of events, please visit www.rhythmsontherio.com.