Have a Good Time for a Good Cause at the Hootenanny

Time spent by the river with friends is a hallmark of summertime in Lyons, and there’s no better place to indulge in this activity than the gorgeous grounds of River Bend. On Sunday, August 27th, from 2pm to 7pm, the greater Lyons community is invited to join Lyons Community Foundation (LCF) and Lyons Emergency & Assistance Fund (LEAF) for our 3rd Annual Hootenanny at River Bend. This family-friendly event offers free admission, in the hopes that everyone in town can come spend an enjoyable afternoon by the river.
LCF and LEAF are teaming up to put on the event, which is a fundraiser for both organizations. There will be something for everyone: live music, kids zone, dance performances, silent auction, cornhole tournament, food trucks, a bar, and the ever-popular rubber ducky race. 
On the music front, the Hootenanny will feature live music by Wood Belly, who won the 2018 Telluride Bluegrass Festival band competition. According to the band’s official bio, “the quintet is forging a sound that is based in newgrass and flavored with alt-country, rock, and just enough jam to glue it all together.” Sounds perfect for a Lyons Hootenanny! 
In addition to musical entertainment, we will feature dance performances by Lyons’ own Mayama Dance Company. Mayama’s performances are always captivating and fun, and we are looking forward to seeing what this fantastic local dance company has in store this year.

For the kids, we’ll have a wonderful children’s area designed and presented by Rainbow Lightning Productions, whose mission is to keep the inner child inspired. This nonprofit based out of Crestone, Colorado, creates playscapes and activities where kids can have an exploratory and fun experience. Colorado Fairy Hair will pay us a visit as well, for all of you who are looking to add a little sparkle to your hair. 
The rubber ducky race will take place late afternoon, when we will be dropping the ducks in the river from the bridge on Highway 36. Watching the ducks float down the river is so much fun! Sign up for a duck the day of the Hootenanny at the LEAF tent. The cost per ducky is $5. A raft of ducks cost $20 for five. The cash prize for 1st place is $100, 2nd place is $50, and 3rd place is $25. 
There will also be a cornhole tournament for cornhole lovers of all ages. We are offering a $100 cash prize for the winners of the tournament. Teams of two can sign up at the LEAF booth at the Hootenanny. The cost is $20 per team of two. 
Since this is a fundraiser, we are planning a silent auction, too. We will be featuring chances to win several mountain getaways, three different local staycations, and a stay in a lovely Mexican casa near the ocean. Also on offer will be all kinds of services from facials to portrait sessions to estate planning. You may also be tempted to bid on artwork from local artists, custom dinners, music festival passes, and more! Thank you to everyone who contributed such amazing items for the auction. We are excited to see what bidding wars might ensue, all in support of LCF and LEAF.
There will be three food trucks at the Hootenanny this year. McDevitt Tacos will have a variety of tacos on offer, including gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan choices. Jacaranda will be serving up wood-fired pizza by Chef Modou. For dessert, plan to indulge in ice cream treats from Sweet Cow’s MooMobile. 
At the shady bar under the trees, we will have a choice of beverages for purchase, including wine, Oskar Blues beer and hard seltzer, Spirit Hound vodka lemonade, as well as non-alcoholic offerings.  
We want to thank all the sponsors of this year’s Hootenanny: CEMEX, River Bend, Lifetime Windows & Siding, Sisters’ Pantry, 24-7 Restoration, Lumber Liquors, The Laura Levy Group, Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti LLP, Western Stars Gallery, Spirit Hound Distillers, Moss Rock Development, Lyons Dairy Bar, Gateway Auto Services, MainStage Brewing, Lyons Lawn and Landscape, Gateway Realty, Oskar Blues Brewery, Lyons Automotive, and Tucker Group Real Estate. We truly appreciate your generosity and support. 

Finally, just a few notes: 1. If you bring a motorized vehicle, we are asking for $5 for parking. 2. Please leave your furry friends at home. 3. LEAF will be collecting donations for the Lyons Community Food Pantry at the event. Please bring along a non-perishable item to contribute. 
Come out and have some fun and help those in need at the same time. It’s definitely a win-win at the Hootenanny!

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