Escalante Days is expanding into the night.
The classic Dolores celebration of Spanish explorer Dominguez Escalante is in its 38th year and is expanding to include two days and evenings of live music at the Dolores Brewery on Aug. 8 and 9.
"We essentially want to grow the event - festival-style - but not to the point it loses its home-town essence," said organizer and chamber director Rocky Moss.
This year's theme: "Summer family fun, just like you remember it."
In addition to traditional events, this year kicks off "Celebrating Escalante Days (and Nights!)" with live music accompanying the dozens of free activities, beginning Saturday at noon and running through midnight at the Dolores River Brewery's two outdoor stages.
On Friday afternoon, there will be a Music and Street Dance with Louie Edwards and Yesterday. Then a kids parade, kids bicycle rodeo, and ice cream eating contest at the Dolores General Store.
On Saturday, there will be a pancake breakfast, followed by a softball tournament, mountain bike race, motorcycle trials (Saturday and Sunday), parade, Galloping Goose rides, chainsaw contest, watermelon eating contest, water balloon toss, arm wrestling, penny hunt, 3-legged race, and much more.
Vendor booths are $75 each and are going fast. Contact the Dolores Chamber of Commerce for more information at 882-4018
"We're excited about live music being offered by the Dolores River Brewery's indoor and outdoor stages from noon to midnight on both days," Moss said.
Music organizer Moe Cooley will again be directing the mini-music festival portion of Escalante Days, featuring 10 bands.
"They are all good, local bands. Last year it was awesome, and this year we plan to double that awesomeness," Cooley said. "We will have two stages and two sound systems. Bands will alternate, while one plays, the next band will set up on the other stage."
The bands are Bacon, Caruta Roma, The Crags, Last Nickel, The Lindells, The Porchlights, Arsenic Kitchen, Wake Up Laughing, the Bees Knees, plus more.
Added DRB owner Mark Youngquist, "It's going to be crazy fun with bands playing all day and into the night. This year, we are more prepared for the logistics of two stages. The traditional event is evolving, and that is exciting."
Cover charge for the music is $10.
