Toe tapping music in Weed, New Mexico

Okay.  I'll admit it.  It has been really hot this summer in my home town of El Paso, Texas. Another 100 degree weekend was predicted.  The El Paso Scene web site announced a Bluegrass Festival for the small New Mexico town of Weed. Surely we could get some relief from the heat at Weed's more than 7000 feet in elevation.

One of the things I appreciate about living on the tip of Texas is that a two to three hour drive can deliver you to the Sacramento Mountains of our neighboring state of New Mexico.  My husband Wayne and I drove through Alamogordo, took a smaller road to Cloudcroft (over 8000 feet), and then an even small road for a scenic drive to Weed.

A 2010 census put the population of Weed at 63. And it appeared that most of the community members were out in force to support the festival. The atmosphere was that of a small town, relaxed and friendly. It reminded me of my childhood years in Clint, Texas.

The festival was held at the Community Center.  The crowd listened respectfully to performances by seven southwest area bands.  The crowd was generally middle-aged and above (no problem with cell phones ringing here!)

Audience at festival

 Each band presented its own interpretation of  Bluegrass music.  The instruments varied as well.  I identified stand up basses, banjos, mandolins, guitars, fiddles, one harmonica, and one dobro. Tempos varied as well, with waltzes being my favorite. Many of the bands were made up of family members.

From the Heartland, Moore, Oklahoma

Vintage Bluegrass, Roswell, New Mexico

Bluegrass music fans were of all ages.

Toddler watching his grandmother's band

There were also door prizes after each band's performance and lunch available for purchase in the cafeteria. I had a bowl of beans and cornbread, accompanied by iced tea and cookies.  The beans could have used a little of our El Paso style chile!

The music and conviviality continued even outside the community center.

Informal music group

A pleasing soft rain was falling as we left the festival for our drive home.  It had been a great summer getaway.

Note:  I was first introduced to bluegrass music at a festival in Durango, Colorado where  "The Infamous Stringdusters" were playing.  Their album, "Fork in the Road", available from Sugar Hill Records, is great!