The sun was beaming in guitarist Josh Ritter's face when he opened the first show in a series of three for the Elkhorn Concert series on Thursday, July 16. The Elkhorn village center was transformed into a concert venue in its main parking area, which at night's end held almost 2,000 people who came to see the main act of G. Love & Special Sauce.
Sun Valley Police Chief Cameron Daggett said that from the police department's perspective things went well. He reported only one bike crash on the recreational trail by Dollar Cabin. Daggett said there were no arrests, no parking violations and just one noise complaint. The city ordinance for quiet hours is 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. The concert ended at 10 p.m.
Concert organizer Paris Nicholson said the concert went well with few complaints. Two complaints were about the Elkhorn pool's being closed. Nicholson estimated that there were about 1,700 concert goers.
"If we knew we could get 5,000 people to come to the shows, we could lower prices and bring more bands," Nicholson said. "But we have to have the support of the community."
More than 200 of the attendees used a bike valet service provided by the organizers. The service was organized by Billy Olson, owner of the Powerhouse Fit Bike Studio and an organizer for the nonprofit Sun Valley Road & Dirt. Donations from the valet bike service will go toward Road & Dirt's children's program. Elephant's Perch owner Bob Rosso donated a cruiser bike for a raffle for all bike valet participants and said he will do the same at the next two shows.
Nicholson said Mountain Rides bus service was excellent and many people told him they enjoyed the food and beverage as well as the affordable prices. He said they will make minor changes for the next show, which will feature the Drive-By Truckers on Aug. 13. Big Head Todd & The Monsters will play Sept. 3. For details visit elkhornconcerts.com.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
G. Love & Special Sauce played the first concert for this summer’s Elkhorn Concert Series on Thursday. Photo by
