Every year since Bryan Lauersdorf moved to Idaho Springs six years ago, he’s come to the Rapidgrass Bluegrass Festival. And every year he looks forward to one band specifically, the festival’s namesake: Rapidgrass. 

Started by Idaho Springs locals Mark and Sarah Morris, the festival brings in acts from all around, with Mark’s band Rapidgrass head-lining. The smells of the food trucks from Beau Jo's and Adventure Basecamp wafted over the field, kids bounced out their energy in the bounce house and stalls from Tommyknocker Brewery and Clear Creek Cidery supplied the beer and cider.

It may be a bluegrass festival, but the genres of the band aren’t so locked in.

Alex and Amber Davidson have been coming from Golden for about six years, only missing a few because of their children being born. “I love bluegrass,” said Alex. “The kids love it too.”

This year they brought their son Hatcher, their newborn Westley and their daughter Eliza, who was too shy to elaborate on her own passion for bluegrass. Westley, similarly, did not comment on his passion for bluegrass.

Some have come even farther to listen, but not necessarily on purpose.

Liam Peterson and his sister Emma came to Idaho Springs for the weekend from Las Vegas, Nevada for a family wedding and decided to take a day and give the festival a try.

“I like it," Liam said. "It’s not my usual choice, but it’s groovy."

The festival continued with Mark & Maggie, Buffalo Commons, The Credibility Gap, Gypsy Cattle Drive, The Wrecklunds, Jake Leg, Rapidgrass themselves with Sister Sarah as a special guest, and finished with Heavy Diamond Ring.