With record snowfall, comes great waterfalls. Such is a timeless proverb in these here parts - or maybe we just made it up. Either way, one thing is for certain...we sure are fortunate to be here in Telluride with our Festivarian community, ringing in our 46th Summer solstice together. Welcome to the valley, friends! As you take in the lush green surroundings and the early-season wildflowers just poking their heads up, please remember to tread lightly. Fill your reusable with free, locally-filtered water, your pockets with micro-trash, and your hearts with the beautiful music that’s lured us all here together. This year, we’ve crafted a festival experience designed to get you off your tarp and engaging with your surroundings and fellow Festivarians. Play the Scavenger Hunt for a chance to win $500 of Kelty camping gear (details on page 6). Get your flow on at free morning yoga (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7:30am in front of the main stage). And toast a delicious Avery Festival Lager with your camp neighbor, your new tarp buddies, or the folks in line behind you for Sisters’ Dumplings. Whether this is your first Bluegrass or your 45th (we’re looking at you, Sammy!), we’re grateful you’ve found your way to this picturesque canyon. Tilt your face toward the sun (don’t forget the sunscreen!) and listen to Bela’s banjo reverberate off the box canyon walls. Savor each moment spent in this idyllic valley surrounded by special folks. Festivarians, we are so glad you’re here.
Love, The Folks on Planet Bluegrass Festival Director: Craig Ferguson Assistant Festival Director: Steve Szymanski Festival Manager: Shauna Nashak Box Office Manager: Geoff Wickersham Festival Grounds Supervisor: Rich Estes Operations Crew: Sean Flynn, Zach Tucker, Tony King, James Hinker, Aaron Kilian, Jordan Bushouse, Griffin Ferguson & Ryan Kean Sustainable Festivation Supervisors: Walter Wright & Tyler Simmons Festival Waste Crew: Alex George & Andrew Kolberg Chief of Security: John Cohn Security Supervisors: Frank Hensen & Joe Piche Crowd Management: Damion Alexander, Jana Alexander, Josh Blakeman, Jake Cohn, Jonathan Greenspan, Rachael Hensen, Alex Laney, Abe Millar, Degrey Phillips, Consuelo Reyes, Arthur Sowinski, Tina Tharpe, Andrew Tokarz, Kevin White & Megan White Customs Gate Supervisors: Franny Cohn, Debby Guarino, Ruth Hensen, Carol Lee, & Erin Thompson TP Camp Gate Supervisors: Marilyn Branch & Larry Stewart
Pedestrian Bridge Supervisors: Calvin Poon & Shawn Hansen Backstage Security Supervisor: Tara Doran Pit Master: Hunt Worth Overnight Security: Shawn Williams, Gary Broughall & Drew Meeker Camping Supervisor: Kathleen Morgan Town Park Campground Hosts: Toni Norris & Tucker Lane Warner Field Campground Hosts: Aaron, Carole & Randy Reece Lawson Hill Campground Hosts: Michelle Foote, Adriana Galue, Berlinnetta Baumer, David Carter & Fawnda Rogers Mary E Campground Hosts: James Addoms, Aaron Cooklin, Amy Hardy & Jordan Neilson Valley E-Team Supervisor: Steve Green Parking Supervisor: Dennis Green Vehicle Gate Supervisors: Monica Carey, Ed Janus, Kristin Milord & Mary Alice Wagner Lodging Coordinator: Denise Mongan Backstage Hospitality/Artist Supervisor: Amy Mendonca Backstage Hospitality: Hanna Ferguson, Meghan LeClair & Faith McKenna Backstage Catering Supervisor: Markus Chesla
Artist Transportation Supervisor: Ed Kean Box Office Supervisors: Laura Larson, Jasmine Lok, Jelena Caplan, Nichole Elmore & Bill Carlson Volunteer Supervisor: Allison Grimes Media Relations: Brian Eyster Sponsor Relations & Social Media: Alannah Rudd Social Media and Sustainability: Madison Watson Concessions Supervisors: Jill Brzezicki, Bethel Steele, & Michael Cohon Communications Supervisors: Luci Reeve, Sandy McLaughlin & Jim Bedford Country Store Supervisors: Patrick O’Kelly & Dustin Boyd Artist Consignment Supervisor: Kara O’Kelly Family Tent Supervisor: Melissa Sumpter Harris Sponsor Tent/Greentown Supervisors: Wendy McFarland & Suzanne Teele Contest Supervisor: Charlie Bailey Elks Park Workshop Supervisors: Edee Gail & BJ Suter Elks Park Workshop Sound: Dean Rolley, Alan Bradley & Vicki Phelps
Elks Park Workshop Transportation: Tom & Nancy Richards Stage Design: Kahlie Pinello Park Beautification: Claudia Kean Libation Station Supervisors: Pam Bennett, Scott Kelley, Ashley Story & Dennis Andrejko NightGrass Supervisor: Daniel Mullan 2019 Poster Artist: Bruce White Master of Ceremonies: Chris Daniels
Stage Crew
Stage Manager: Skip Kent FOH Engineer: Simon Welch Monitor Engineer: Mike Bove Backstage Manager: John Setser FOH/Stage: Garth Michael Lighting Director: Dave Hall Lights: Peter Temmen Audio: Mark Miceli Patch/Stage: Mark Dennis Monitors/Stage: Brent Healy Stage Lead: Ric Teller Stage: Mark Altomare, Melissa Britton, Justin Milner & Rhett Snyder Labor/Spots: Tim Territo Spots: Tom Wirth Sound: Firehouse Productions Lights: ILIOS Lighting Design Backline: Harry Backline, LLC
Meet someone who has attended more than 10 TBFs.
Program Staff
Design & Layout: Pat Creyts Editors: Brian Eyster, Steve Szymanski Contributing Writers: Chris Aaland, Charlotte Bell, Steve Leftridge, Dan Sadowsky, Madison Watson Advertising: Alannah Rudd & Madison Watson Photography: Benko Photographics, NoCoast Printing: Matt Coburn, OneTouchPoint Cover Artwork: Bruce White
Thanks To Our Festival Partners
Avery Brewing Company, Allegro Coffee, Canyon, Eco-Products, Eldorado Natural Spring Water, Guayakí Yerba Mate, KEEN, Kelty, Klean Kanteen, Martin Guitars, Meier Skis, Nechville Banjos, Open Water, Red Bird, Shanti Guitars, Sierra Sage/Green Goo, Sopris Health & Wellness, Sunsense Solar, Taylor Guitars, Telluride Alpine Lodging, Telluride Express & Zeal Optics
Planet Bluegrass Year-Round Staff
President & Gentleman Farmer: Craig Ferguson Senior Vice-President: Steve Szymanski Vice-President of Operations: Shauna Nashak Vice-President of Communications: Brian Eyster Director of Awesome: Laura Larson Director of Marketing & Sponsorships: Alannah Rudd Director of Sustainability: Madison Watson Director of Operations: Zach Tucker Merchandise & Festivarian Relations: Dustin Boyd Ticketing & Festivarian Relations: Geoff Wickersham Volunteer Coordinator: Allison Grimes Property Rentals & Artist Relations: Amy Mendonca Ranch Crew: Jelena Caplan, Griffin Ferguson, Jeana Johnson, Cindy Kalyan, Ty LaFollette, Wyatt LaFollette, and Savannah Watson
Planet Bluegrass Would Like To Thank..
The Town of Telluride with a special thanks to Stephanie Jaquet, the US Forest Service, the Town of Mountain Village, San Miguel County, Telluride Mountain Village Owners Association, Lawson Hill Property Owners and the Telluride School District
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