The weather was great for the outdoor portion of the 3rd Annual Gate City Music Festival held on Historic First Street in downtown Raton over the Labor Day weekend 2017.
While the crowds came and went during the event it was Colfax Reunion that drew the dancing crowd Saturday evening to downtown Raton. Colfax Reunion was chosen to perform for the free street dance that culminated Saturday’s events of the 2017 Gate City Music Festival. Spectators Saturday listened to the likes of DJ Ernie Brown, Stranded and Capton Reid and were able to enjoy BBQ, turkey legs and corn on the cob from the food vendors. Craft venders and others lined the street and grass areas of the recently completed Multi-Modal Center in downtown Raton. RPS put in special electrical setup for the Mechanical Bull Riding that the kids really seemed to enjoy as they kept it going most of the day Saturday and Sunday. Local brewery Colfax Ale Cellar along with Red Door Brewery and Blacks Smuggler Winery provided the spirits for the event.
The music continued Sunday on First Street with Fiddler and Friends, DJ Ernie Brown, Smooth Riders Jazz Quartet and the Dewey Paul Band and the other activities before the big show in the Shuler Theater. The show in the Shuler began at 7:00 p.m. with an amazing talent in 16 year old singer songwriter Parker Twomey from Dallas, Texas. The young singer won the right to perform this year’s event in a singer songwriter contest held by Crystal and Will Yates. Crystal and Will took the stage next where they once again showed their music talents and Crystal talked about performing in the Shuler.
Suzy Bogguss and her acoustic band took the stage and wowed the crowd as they sang and interacted with them in the intimate setting of the Shuler Theater. One of the songs she sang required crowd involvement, all they had to sing was “Eat at Joe’s” which they did with vigor. Afterward, the singers were in the Shuler lobby to meet and sign memorabilia for the fans attending the show.
The CapTon Reid band played Saturday afternoon for the crowd at the 2017 Gate City Music Festival over the Labor Day weekend.
The kids enjoyed the mechanical bull again this year at the 3rd Annual Gate City Music Festival
Young and younger enjoyed the mechanical bull riding at the 2017 Gate City Music FestivalRPS added special electrical setup for the Mechanical Bull Riding that the kids really seemed to enjoy.
16 year old Singer Ssongwriter Parker Twomey performed Saturday afternoon as the 2017 Gate City Music Festival held in Raton over the Labor Day weekend
Colfax Reunion, one of the local bands to perform at the 2017 Gate City Music Festival held in downtown Raton on Historic First Street. The band was chosen for the free street dance Saturday evening and they drew a big crowd for the street dance.
Sunday afternoon the Dewey Paul band took the stage for the 3rd Annual Gate City Music Festival.
Wendy Hickman watches as Suzy Bogguss signs the guitar that she won in a contest for the 3rd Annual Gate City Music Festival held over the Labor Day weekend.
Carl Hickman, Brenda Ferri Suzy Bogguss, Wendy Hickman and Jackie Phillips display the autographed guitar that Wendy won for the 3rd Annual Gate City Music Festival in the KCRT contest.
Albuquerque’s Tom Pino, a huge fan of Suzy Bogguss, had a wish come true Sunday afternoon as he got to meet the singer during a short meet and greet during the 3rd Annual Gate City Music Festival.
Will and Crystal Yates held a singer songwriter contest and this 16 year old singer songwriter, Parker Twomey from Dallas, won the opportunity to perform at this year’s 3rd Annual Gate City Music Festival in the Shuler Theater.
Crystal Yates spoke of her husband Will noting they had been married 19 years now and how much she enjoyed being in the Shuler Theater and in the Raton Community. Co-founders of the Gate City Music Fest, they have performed every year.
Will and Crystal Yates perform on stage at the Shuler Theater during the 3rd Annual Gate City Music Festival held in Raton over the Labor Day weekend.
Headliner Suzy Bogguss and her band performed at the 3rd Annual Gate City Music Festival on the historic Shuler Theater stage.
Headliner Suzy Bogguss on the Historic Shuler Theater Stage Sunday evening.
Suzy Bogguss performed several songs on the Shuler Stage but the one thing that made the evening was how she interacted with the crowd during the show.
It was a great time as the crowd laughed and enjoyed the singer’s performance not only singing but the interaction the small intimate setting the Shuler provided during the 3rd Annual Gate City Music Festival.
Charlie Chadwick performs on one of his specially designed basses. He designed the instrument to fold into itself to make it easy for airline travel.
From the Isles of Ireland, Craig Smith. He came to America and learned how to play the guitar and bass guitar in Levelland, Texas before joining Suzy Bogguss.
