photos by David Halterman

ith a La Plata County weekend full of Harleys roaring and beer pouring, many people opted instead for a trip to Pagosa Springs for the 12th annual Four Corners Folk Festival. Nestled in the woods atop Resevoir Hill, this years event sold more than 9,000 tickets, with mny considering it to be the most rousing and successful in the festival yet. From the swan song of Nickel Creek, who picked this venue for their final performance, to the prophetic brilliance of Anne & Pete Sibley, the musicians maintained an intimate relationship between themselves and the audience that is hard to find these days. Even the occasional downpour couldnt quell the finger-pickin, flat-footin, free and fun feeling at this years Folk Fest.

<br clear=" width="400" height="242" xwidth="400" xheight="242" /> Sara Watkins, of Nickel Creek, rehearses backstage before the bands final performance on Saturday afternoon. Fiona McBain, left, and Amy Helm, of Ollabelle, harmonize during their performance. Ollabelle is out of New York City. Grammy-nominated musician Darrell Scott tunes his Les Paul before his highly anticipated performance. Amy Helm, of Ollabelle, tunes her mandolin backstage. Afternoon showers couldnt dampen the spirit or the smiles at this years Folk Fest. Thanks to Breckenridge Brewing for pouring the suds. Plenty of spontaneous dancing broke out everywhere. Matt Mangano plucks through some scales on his 1977 Fender bass before going on with Darrell Scott.