Planet Bluegrass' FirstGrass Concert Kicks Off Summer Festival Music in Telluride and Mountain Village
Nashville-based dynamic, fast picking bluegrass prodigy Billy Strings and Montana bluegrass rock band The Lil Smokies kick-off the 45th annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival at Mountain Village’s Sunset Plaza for the yearly FirstGrass Concert Wednesday, June 20. Led by two of the most exciting young bands in the progressive bluegrass scene, this promises to be an epic way to begin your Bluegrass weekend in Telluride. This free show runs from 5 to 8 p.m. and is made possible by the Town of Mountain Village and Planet Bluegrass. After the show, stick around to dine in Mountain Village and for those lucky enough to have a ticket for Planet Bluegrass’ evening celebration with Dierks Bentley and the Travelin’ McCourys head to the Telluride Conference Center as they play to a sold-out crowd. Doors open at 8 p.m. with the show beginning at 9 p.m. For those without a ticket, take advantage of the culinary options in Mountain Village. For more information on the festival, visit bluegrass.com. FESTIVAL TRANSPORTATION & PARKING The towns of Mountain Village and Telluride are connected by a three-stage gondola system starting at Market Plaza (formerly Town Hall Plaza) in Mountain Village to Village Center, and ending in Telluride at Oak Street Plaza. It takes about 12 minutes to get from one town to the other via Mountain Village Center. During the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, gondola operating hours are from 6:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Expect long lines during peak times. For those needing a ride to their vehicle parked on town roadways, the Planet Bluegrass Bus will pick up festivarians at Market Plaza and drop off passengers near their vehicle. The bus will run Thursday through Sunday from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m., and to assist with locating one’s vehicle, signs denoting specific parking zones – A through G – will be erected. Vehicles left on Mountain Village roadways after 12 p.m. Monday, June 25 will be towed at the owner’s expense. In addition, Dial-A-Ride will remain open until 2:30 a.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Mountain Village’s Gondola Parking Garage located at 455 Mountain Village Blvd., behind Town Hall and the Mountain Village Market and northwest of the gondola terminal is free to park. Individuals and festivarians without parking permits must park their vehicles where directed by parking staff once the Gondola Parking Garage is full. The North Village Center pay-to-park surface lot is another parking option though overnight parking is not allowed. Short-term parking will be available for those doing business in Mountain Village; times will be enforced. Alternatively, for those parking, shopping, dining or recreating in Mountain Village, we encourage the utilization of Heritage Parking Garage, located off Mountain Village Boulevard across from Hotel Madeline. Parking is $2 for each hour and $35 maximum in a 24-hour period. COMMON CONSUMPTION AREA For the FirstGrass Concert, the Common Consumption Area is in effect. The Common Consumption Area will allow people to purchase alcoholic beverages from participating licensed establishments attached to the Common Consumption Area and move freely with beverages within the defined boundary of the concert area. Only alcohol from the participating establishments is permitted in the Common Consumption area. ABOUT MOUNTAIN VILLAGE Situated in the heart of the breathtaking San Juan Mountains, Mountain Village was incorporated in 1995 as a home rule municipality. Its founders envisioned a European-style ski-in/ski-out, pedestrian-friendly destination resort that would complement the historic mining town of Telluride. A three-stage gondola transportation system connects the Town of Mountain Village with the Town of Telluride. Situated at 9,500 feet, Mountain Village is comparably a world apart from other resorts: it is innately spectacular, beautifully orchestrated and planned, and overflowing with style, charm and sophistication. For more information, please visit us on the Web at townofmountainvillage.com. ABOUT PLANET BLUEGRASS For 25+ years, Planet Bluegrass has been redefining the music festival, creating exceptional experiences that protect our planet through environmental leadership and strong communities. Producers of Telluride Bluegrass, RockyGrass, and Folks Festival.
