In 2007, Spring Creek became the first to win the band competitions at the prestigious Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Lyon’s RockyGrass Festival in the same year. On Saturday, they’ll headline the musical entertainment portion of this year’s Gunnison Independence Day celebration.

 

Spring Creek Bluegrass Band takes the stage under the Shade for Blades outdoor ice rink in Jorgensen Park at 6:30 p.m. But there’s a whole host of other live music on tap Saturday in Gunnison.

 

The entertainment kicks off in downtown’s IOOF Park, at the corner of Main and Virginia, a little before noon. There, Snow State, The Flumps and Red Head Set will perform between noon and 4 p.m. — with “tweeners” from Chris Coady.

 

The downtown festivities, which coincide with the Gunnison Farmers Market, will include kids’ games (including a fun-for-all “slip ‘n’ slide”), a cowboy dress-up contest, food and other refreshments.

 

At 4 p.m., the festivities head over to Jorgensen Park, where (new this year) a beer garden will be set up inside the Shade for Blades rink. There will also be food vendors in the park, and Gunnison’s July 4 ceremony — including the presentation of the colors and the singing of the national anthem — will kick off later in the evening at the Jorgensen Park Gazebo, in preparation for the grand finale fireworks at dusk.

 

Spring Creek has held tight to the bluegrass tradition, emulating the first generation greats while presenting a youthful, fresh sound. Their creative original songs and meticulous harmony vocals caught the attention of the nearly 50 year-old Charlottesville, Va., bluegrass label, Rebel Records — which had never before signed a Colorado-based band.

 

Spring Creek, whose roots actually trace back to the Gunnison Valley (and, yes, that Spring Creek) has placed several prestigious festivals across North America, including the famous MerleFest in Wilkesboro, N.C. The band’s original crowd favorite “High Up in the Mountains” won the Vox Populi Award for Best Americana Song from the Independent Music Awards.

 

Also back by popular demand, Russ Chapman from Paonia kicks off the live music at Jorgensen Park with his “modern rendition of an old-time tradition.” His set begins at 5 p.m.