A popular Westcliffe music event is getting a reprieve, thanks to some of the region's well-known musicians.
The Wet Mountain Western Jubilee, formerly Wet Mountain Western Days, is scheduled for Aug. 21 and 22 under a large tent on the west end of town. The event used to be produced by the local chamber of commerce, but the organization decided to discontinue its involvement after last year's edition.
"There's a lot of work that goes on, a lot of liability, so I don't blame them," said Aaron Wolking of the Westcliffe-based band Sons and Brothers.
The continuation of the annual festival, which began in 1998, was in limbo until members of the Wolking family were urged to take over the production.
"We were kind of on the fence as far as what we wanted to do, but a lot of people called us up and asked if we were going to step in," said Wolking. "As a business decision, I'm not sure how great it was, but we wanted to at least do our part and give it a shot for one year to keep this thing going. Westcliffe has developed this reputation for being a hot spot for music."
The event lineup is impressive: Legendary western singer Don Edwards and cowboy poet Waddie Mitchell both will participate, as will Sons and Brothers. Rising Pueblo band The Haunted Windchimes and The Category Stompers from Tennessee have also joined the list of performers, providing a modern dose of American roots music. Local band Sugarfoot will kick off the performances both days.
"This is the biggest lineup we've ever had," said Wolking. "It's not often Don and Waddie show up together in this part of the world."
Daily tickets for the festival are $20; children 12 and younger get in free. Each act will perform a full set. Two-day passes are $35. An additional dance and concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Those tickets are $15.
"I would say it's a jam session, but it will be a little more formal than that," Wolking said of the dance. "It will be a collaboration among the artists."
Future editions of the festival are not assured. Wolking said if it makes money, Sons and Brothers would like to continue producing it. If the profit isn't there, "We can't afford to underwrite it, just like anybody else," he said.
But it's a tradition that's worth trying to save, said Wolking.
"We decided it was important to the community. It's preservation of the arts and it's important economically. We've got to keep people coming into town."
For details and tickets, visit www.wetmountainwesternjubilee.com or call 719-371-3838.
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