Sharing western heritage through poetry and song

Looking for a cool evening of entertainment and watching the sun set on Pinyon Mesa, while listening to some of the best western musicians and cowboy poets in the area?

Then you’ll love the ninth annual Glade Park Cowboy Music & Poetry Festival on August 1, 2020, at the Glade Park Community Center.

Cowboy roots

Each year, the festival brings the community back to its roots and celebrates the western heritage and cowboy lifestyle that is the foundation of Western Colorado. It’s the brainchild of Joanie Dahlen—retired nurse and longtime Glade Park resident—who helped it debut in 2011. Held rain or shine, the outdoor festival has been going strong ever since.

Many concerts and large gatherings had to cancel or postpone this summer due to the pandemic. However, Glade Park’s remote and spread-out location ensured the show could go on while following safety guidelines from the Mesa County Health Department.

“People are excited to get out and see their neighbors. Our venue offers lots of space for people to be outside, yet use social distancing and space their chairs as they feel comfortable,” shared Dena Bigum, festival organizer and community center board member.

Barbecue is available for purchase starting at 5 p.m. and performances begin at 6 p.m. The festival offers the perfect opportunity for people to get out and enjoy musical entertainment, something that’s been in short supply since COVID-19 restrictions went into effect earlier this year.

“We’re excited about the event, and always try to include entertainers from different areas. We’re looking forward to our friend Terry Nash and his talents, and newcomers Utah-based Many Strings and Company and Jeneve Rose Mitchell from Crawford,” said Bigum.

Because the festival is a casual, outside event, the audience has the opportunity to interact with the performers and purchase their music.

Meet this year’s performers

Husband-wife team Tony and Carol Messerly make up Many Strings and Company.  Their time spent in Wyoming and Utah is reflected in their music, which they refer to as western folk. The award-winning couple—Tony for Male Yodeler of the Year in 2013 by the International Western Music Association, and both for Western Duo of the Year from the Academy of Western Artists 2018—enjoys entertaining audiences with their whimsical ballads, cowboy songs and mountain man originals.

Jeneve Rose Mitchell, 19, is an up and coming western artist who rose to fame as a finalist during the 2016 season of American Idol. Performing professionally since age 4, Mitchell lives with her parents on their Crawford ranch, drawing inspiration from her beloved horses and the western beauty surrounding her. Billed as “The Rocky Mountain Hillbilly Girl,” she’s mastered 14 instruments and recently released her first EP “Off the Grid.”

Terry Nash is practically a household name on the Western Slope. Cowboy poet and songwriter, Nash was named 2018 Male Poet of the Year by the International Western Music Association. Additionally, his CD “A Good Ride” was named Cowboy Poetry CD of the Year. Nash’s classic cowboy poetry is riddled with experiences from growing up on a ranch near Idalia, Colorado, and on his ranch near Loma. Nash has been instrumental in the area’s cowboy poetry revival, and was the inspiration Joanie Dahlen needed to begin the cowboy poetry gathering in Glade Park.

9th Glade Park Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival

Saturday, August 1, 2020

When: 5 p.m. food, 6 p.m. performances

Where: Glade Park Community Center

Cost: $10/Adults, $5/Children under 12

Bring your own chair and a jacket. No pets, please.

For more information, call 241-0775