Michael Perini
Since the 1800s, our community has looked for new experiences. In 1887, the Midland Railway began offering “Wildflower Tours,” which took people through Ute Pass to the Lake George area to gather wildflowers by the armful and enjoy picnics.
Many of us are too young to remember, but Teller County was a popular spot in the 1900s for those seeking a dude ranch experience, offering an exciting vacation in the “Wild West”.
Fast forward to today. Our community hosts a range of festivals, parades, art shows, and special events that enhance the beautiful scenery and small-town charm we have come to know and love.
During the Fourth of July holiday weekend, a newcomer, America’s Mountain Festival.
Derek Waggoner, Tava House, deserves credit for the bold vision of highlighting national-level Red Dirt country performers.
AMF ranks alongside other well-planned, well-executed community-supported events like the USA Pro Challenge, Vino and Notes, Symphony Above the Clouds, Moose is Loose, and the Old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration.
Local headlines included, “Music festival shows what’s possible.” “Move Over Nashville!” “Music Festival Gets Rave Reviews”.
As a result of the first event, ticket holders traveled from Texas, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Kansas. The crowd included many visitors from Colorado, as well as our local music fans who enjoy Country Western and have had to go elsewhere to experience this part of Americana.
This kind of event requires a skilled team to succeed. Credit goes to all on the inaugural committee. Everyone worked very hard to make Waggoner’s vision a reality.
We also saw the crowd supporting sponsors and vendors. We are truly grateful to the Woodland Park city officials and to everyone who took a chance on this inaugural festival. This includes The Mountain Jackpot for the news coverage and advertising space.
Additionally, we offered free admission to active-duty military personnel and local first responders.
We heard from several festival attendees who are considering relocating here because of their AMF experience. The double rainbow left a strong impression, and even with the brief rain shower, people stayed under their umbrellas and tarps. Although it was a little cool, they listened to the final performer and clapped enthusiastically many times. This act of hospitality meant a lot to us as organizers and to the artist and band members, who also had to deal with the storm.
The economic impact is still being evaluated, but based on conversations with ticket holders, including residents of Woodland Park and out-of-town visitors we know, they dined, shopped, and stayed in town on Friday and Saturday because of AMF.
We’ve gained valuable insights from the inaugural event and appreciate all feedback.
Relive the 2025 event and soon learn about the 2026 festival. www.americasmountainfestival.
The most common question now is: Will the festival return in 2026? Yes. Planning has started. The musical lineup and date haven’t been finalized yet.
A “recruiting” list for volunteers is now open. Visit the AMF website to sign up. Organizers are looking for people who are passionate about the vision and want to keep the 1800s tradition alive.
