Have you ever dreamed of lounging in the shade by a river and being surrounded by excellent music, fine wines, tasty micro-brews and great food? This dream will be a reality June 12-14 when the Palisade Bluegrass & Roots Music Festival kicks off in Palisade. Located in the beautiful 100-acre Riverbend Park, the festival features the best in acoustic music as well as workshops, jams, camping, a kid’s area and vendors. Imagine a garden party with music — in fact, about 23 hours worth. Twelve bands will offer a variety of acoustic blues, swing, Celtic, old-time, folk and bluegrass to provide an unsurpassed listening experience in a relaxed setting.

The artists performing hail from all over the U.S. and Canada and will satisfy a variety of musical tastes as well as introduce the listener to musical styles that often defy simple musical categorization. Cadillac Sky plays a unique style of bluegrass that has brought festival audiences from Telluride to Merlefest to their feet. The Kruger Brothers, fresh from a tour in Switzerland, play musical styles that range from the back porch to the symphony hall. Kane, Welch & Kaplin, just back from an Australian tour, perform a brand of acoustic music that is all their own. Also, fresh from an Australian tour is the April Verch Band. April offers grand master fiddling, sweet vocals and championship step-dancing. If you are an acoustic blues fan, do not miss Catfish Keith — W.C. Handy Award nominee and consummate blues guitar player. Mollie O’Brien & Rich Moore also put down some blues and swing. You may have heard Mollie when she was a regular on Prairie Home Companion.

Many bluegrass fans are waiting to hear The Dixie-Beeliners, voted “Best Bluegrass Band of 2008” by the Roots Music Association. Danny Barnes, besides being a seminal member of the Bad Livers, has played with the Dave Matthews Band, Tim O’Brien and the Yonder Mountain String Band.

Moira Smiley & VOCO, America’s #1 a cappella in 2007, deliver stunning vocals and pull out a banjo, cello or provide great body percussion when the mood strikes. Colorado’s own Dakota Blonde will add their stellar sound to the festivities featuring the beautiful voice of Mary Huckins. On hand too will be local favorite Way Down Yonder picking some traditional bluegrass and more. Old-timey music with fine fiddling, clogging and tons of fun will be provided by regional favorite, Catharsis. All in all, a great mix of music and talent.

There will be lots of good food, fine local wines, great suds from regional breweries and even sarsaparilla for the kids.

And speaking of kids, there is an area for them to play in and stuff to play with. Don’t forget your instruments — there will be jamming going into the wee hours in the campground. Attend a workshop or two and pick up some pointers from the pros. Get lucky in the guitar drawings ... or just lay back in the shade by the rolling river, close your eyes and listen to some truly fine music.

Tons of info about the event is on the festival Web site so give it a look — it should answer most of your questions.

For detailed information and to purchase tickets go to www.palisademusic.org or call 970 464-5602.