DEL NORTE – Rhythms on the Rio, the San Luis Valley's largest and longest-running music festival, will return to Del Norte on Aug. 2-4.
Organized by the South Fork Music Association, it has been held annually since 2006, except 2020 and 2021, to raise money to put musical instruments in the hands of San Luis Valley kids. Last year the event raised $15,000 for local school music programs.
This will be the third year it has been held in Del Norte, after the festival grounds in South Fork were sold for an RV park. It attracts music lovers from across Colorado, the region, and national visitors for the family-friendly atmosphere, affordable prices and idyllic mountain setting.
Organization president Scott Stecken said they are capping 3-day passes, which include camping, at 500 fewer than last year, to reduce overcrowding in the campground. He said these passes will likely sell out.
"The lineup is good. It has something for everybody. If you like rhythm and blues done the right way, you can't miss (Friday headliner) The California Honeydrops, with some funk mixed in there," he said.
"We've got some of the best up-and-coming acts in the jamgrass scene on Saturday, culminating with Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, who is creating his own genre of music."
"And you can't go wrong with (Sunday headliner) Keller Williams. So, this is going to be a nationally recognized lineup that has something for everybody to enjoy."
Three-day passes are $190, with a $25 option for early entry Thursday. Campers and trailers require an RV pass. All can be purchased at Rhythmsontherio.com.
Single-day tickets (which don't include camping) are $60 Friday, $70 Saturday and $50 Sunday. Youth tickets (ages 13-15) are $25. Children 12 and under are free. They can be purchased online or at the festival gate. Camping passes are $30 more each night.
On Aug. 1, the Thursday before the festival, the festival is co-sponsoring, along with the Town of Del Norte, free live music in the town park, featuring Grateful Dead cover band Easy Jim.
The festival is held the same weekend as Del Norte's Covered Wagon Days, and Stecken said there have been noticeably more festival-goers at the parade and other events. With hot weather, last year also saw hundreds of people swimming in the Rio Grande.
The lineup is as follows:
