Got plans for Labor Day Weekend? Oh yes, it’s just around the corner. Many families already have that section of the calendar carved up in pen or pencil, with or without gravy stains. Gas prices may cause a few adjustments to the ultimate choice of destinations. Many will meander their way up to Reservoir Hill Park for the 11th annual Four Corners Folk Festival. Dan Appenzeller, and an army of volunteers are in full tilt bringing all the needed parts of this musical puzzle to Pagosa Springs. Dan shared with us how this folksy event came about and what it takes to put it together.
“I had this inclination to do a festival. I had worked in security for massive rock-n-roll events in Los Angeles and San Diego. When I moved here, I was done with the cities, but I thought, ‘I’ve got to do something here’. I got this idea for a festival of music I liked, that would bring people together. Something that my young son and my father, who is in his eighties would enjoy. No agenda except for music and entertainment.”
A committee was formed to get the ball rolling, but many people initially involved dropped out when the hard work started. “Nobody wants to work for free – including me which I did for years.” But as some dropped out, others came to the surface asking what they could do to help. Soon there were plenty of volunteers that could see a future to this musical event.
Advertising for Folkwest now include a colorful website and thirty-second spots on cable television. But eleven years ago, funky, handmade flyers passed from one person to another were the main stream of information. “Most people treated us like we were a religious cult. They would say, ‘No thanks, I’m not interested in your church’. We’d tell them ‘No this is a Festival’. We put up with a lot in the beginning but it was fun.”
Approximately 500 people showed up, raising about $23,000 for the Festival which for a first time, local event was a great surprise. “There was a whole cross-section of the community that showed up and I thought, they really want this, so I’ll just continue to do it.”
The second year didn’t go as well. It would prove to be a year of learning what not to do as much as what to do. “It lost a fortune and we were responsible for the money.” Dan was ready to quit after that year but it was a friend who saw potential in the festival who encouraged him to continue. So he did.
The third year was fantastic! “We were pretty much on the road at that point and had paid our dues.” Things were beginning to gel behind the scenes. “It was a matter of getting through each year, figuring out sponsorship, writing for grants and then we formed our own 501(c)3.”
“We came up with the name “Folkwest” because we were doing folk music. We thought “folk” was a wide enough genre to include a broad range of music, and “west” because we were west of the Mississippi.”
Dan and his wife Crista Munro, who is the executive director, have learned a lot over the last eleven years. They’ve watched their fledgling idea grow into one of the most popular draws to the Four Corners region. “I’m pretty dang happy with who I’m surrounded with now. I love the town of Pagosa, the government part of Pagosa, I adore my Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwana’s, the Rotary Club, the churches…there are so many people involved and I appreciate all of them.”
Folkwest is about the arts, music, education, and entertainment. Dan views it as both a cultural and economic enhancer. “Some independent group came in and did a market survey of us. When we first started we invested that $23,000 now we’re investing close to $300,000.” That investment capital has to come from ticket sales and banks among others. “But that investment injects conservatively about $1.8 million into the local, regional and national economies, from the artists to the hotel owners, to the guys selling the foods and the beer. I’m a believer that the arts are good business.”
Over the years, Folkwest has gained some hefty rival festivals within Colorado. “This business is competitive as well. Since we started this, there are three major festivals on Labor Day now. I remember one year we were going up against Bob Dylan in Aspen. Last year it was Wide Spread Panic in Aspen. But somehow people want to stay with us. We have a family aspect, where kids under 12 are free and will always be free. We focus all this energy into our kids programs. It gets better every year.”
Here’s an overly simplistic recipe for a Folkwest in Pagosa Springs: Start with last year’s budget, adding current trends, keeping an eye on local environmental conditions, such as fire, rain, and drought. Mix in headliners like Old School Freight Train, Delbert McClinton, Dar Williams. Stir aggressively with sponsorship, advertising, and vendors. Lay out on stages, under tents, keeping close to snacks and portable restrooms. Enjoy in the sunshine and moonlight with friends and family. Repeat.
If your calendar has space available over the Labor Day weekend consider a visit to Reservoir Hill Park. Follow the music and the sound of good times. For the latest news on this Folk Festival go to their home on the web at www.folkwest.com. |