has not been matched by a hike in the ticket prices. So if you're a gourmand like me - note I did not say gourmet, although historically, I think, many of the event's food samples could meet such discerning standards - then this may be just the thing for you. The only possible drawback to your culinary-appreciation
efforts might be the distraction of having to hear by some of the best bluegrass music in the country. Ha-ha. Mark Gardner, Rock Ledge Ranch musician, historian and festival booking agent appears to have outdone himself once again by bringing in two out-of-state bands that have both won the annual, highly
competitive Rockygrass Festival competition in Lyons, Colo., along with two in-state bands in Honey Don't and Grass It Up that have been known to knock people's socks off (musically speaking).
From a cost point of view, if you are thinking about attending, you might want to keep in mind that the $30 adult ticket price jumps to $40 after July 24. For those of you who may not know, proceeds from ticket sales go to Rock Ledge, which for the past two years has only been partially funded by the city that owns it. Most all of the people you will see working at the event are volunteers. In fact, the whole "vittles" part of it started years ago with local chefs looking for ways to keep the ranch alive...
I can't put this column "to bed" without grateful mention of the weighting that the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (PPACG) board gave to the 17 goals in the regional transportation plan. With the endless drumbeating about carbon emissions causing any type of bad weather (yet no regional study to offer proof), it felt like a return to sanity, seeing sensible transportation needs at the top of the list and that red herring last.
- K.J.