This weekend marked the 40th anniversary of the Telluride Bluegrass festival, an event I was lucky enough to attend last year with my favourite travel partner, Hobo G. Set against the stunning backdrop of a box canyon, it is one of the most beautiful and well-organized outdoor festivals I have ever attended I could wax poetic about the amazing sets and top-notch musicians that are attracted to the show, but that’s a given. A huge part of the love I feel for this festival has everything to do with the attendees aka “festivarians”. The crowds are full of heart, showing so much enthusiasm for the performers and respect for one another. Not an easy feat when personal space can, at times, be snug. This recent article in the Guardian UK gives a great sense of the experience and “flavour” of the experience as a festival go-er.
With such a diverse cross-section of attendees, the people watching was a boon! Yes, I may have gotten whiplash from checking out all the unique looks that were on parade that weekend! Never have I seen such a far-reaching assortment of straw hats, since then. I hope to finish a series of drawings based on my “bluegrass muses”. Here were a few I dashed off, to whet my whistle, and some other photos of memorable festheads I am working from . More to come!
Telluride. We miss you and we will be back!
hobos and hightops 