Bohemian Nights Takes Over Fort Collins
By Brian F. Johnson
www.bohemiannights.org
Aug 10-12
Old Town, Fort Collins, Colo.
Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest will once again feature the first-rate talent of Colorado musicians coming from around the state to perform during the three-day, free, outdoor music extravaganza. As much a street fair as it is a music festival, Bohemian Nights is unparalleled in scope among free festivals along the Front Range. Though centered around Colorado acts, the headliners each year carry some big clout and bring with them some big crowds.
Bohemian Nights is the music arm of the 22-year-old NewWestFest community celebration meant to honor the town’s birthday. The Bohemian Foundation was founded by philanthropist Pat Stryker in 2001 with the humble goal of making the world a better place.
You’re going there to see: Headliners will be announced in June.
You’re going to come home talking about:
Colorado bands you didn’t know existed. Again, the lineup will be announced soon, but the committee charged with that task does a great job showcasing known Colorado talent, while also finding up-and-coming acts that few folks know about.
Travel time:
(As calculated by maps.google.com from
Denver, Colo. to Old Town, Fort Collins)
Total Est. Time: 1 hour, 9 minutes
Total Est. Distance: 65.2 miles
YOU NEED TO KNOW: This isn’t like a festival that you attend in a field. Bohemian Nights literally takes over Old Town, and for an attendee that’s a great thing. Yes, of course, you can stand in the heat and have a turkey leg like at other festivals, but the beauty of Bohemian Nights is that it happens right out in front of Fort Collins businesses. So while the junk food from street vendors might get you through at certain times, you can also sit in air conditioned comfort at countless local restaurants, and in many cases you’ll still be able to hear what’s happening outside. With six stages relatively spread out from one another, the chair in that restaurant could become your new best friend, which reminds us: folding chairs are darn near a necessity at this event, but come headliner time, it gets packed and if you have a chair you’re not going to be doing traffic flow any favors.
Camping: No.
