|
Rented picnic tables were set up in the area
facing the Bancroft Park stage, where four bands performed during Westfest
June 17.
|
In a new wrinkle for an event in Bancroft Park,
the Old Colorado City Foundation obtained special-event parking along the east
side of Colbrunn Court to allow food trucks to park there during Westfest.
OCC Foundation pleased with Westfest, plans to bring event back in 2019
June 17, 2018Despite a few rain episodes, the first-time Westfest in Bancroft Park attracted some 600 people June 17, according to Lauren Ripko, who organized the
The Ruxton Railsplitters were one of four bands
that performed during Westfest.
Westside Pioneer photo
|
Lasting seven hours, the free, low-key event to "celebrate the Westside" featured four live bands, along with various vendors including local beer brewers and food trucks parked along Colbrunn Court. Rented picnic tables in the cement area in front of the stage gave people a place to sit and eat and listen to the bands.
Adding entertainment was the Coronado High robotics team, demonstrating two of its robots. Faculty advisor Bryce McLean said that even though school is out,
Michaela Miles (yellow shirt) of the Coronado
High robotics team introduces two children at Westfest to a "muppet" robot she's
remotely controlling.
Westside Pioneer photo
|
Planned as a fundraiser for the historic shopping district neighboring Bancroft Park, Westfest was the latest event by the OCCF, which is a charitable arm of the Old Colorado City Associates (OCCA) business group.
The OCCF has also organized the annual Taste of OCC, another Old Town fundraiser, since 2013. It used to be in the spring but is scheduled this year in September.
With the rain and this being the first year for Westfest, OCCF President Dave Brackett said he does not expect it do much more than break even financially. Still, he believes the concept is solid and the OCCF wants it to be an annual event.
Ripko said she's looking forward to bringing it back in 2019. “We'd like to grow the event and add more artists,” she said.
Another change next year, Brackett said, will be moving the date away from Father's Day, which he believes may have hurt attendance a little.
Westside Pioneer article
(Business:
Events)
Would you like to respond to this article? The Westside Pioneer welcomes letters at editor@westsidepioneer.com. (Click here for letter-writing criteria.)