The New Concrete River Festival

It started as Crazy Days and eventually evolved into Concrete River Days. Whatever its name, the Colfax summer festival was a longstanding tradition. Then, it fell out of favor for a few years.

This year it was revived as the Concrete River Festival, and it was hit. The reincarnated festival had elements of the new and the traditional.

A parade worked its way down Mill Street. Kids frolicked in a playland. The pool was open late. A variety of food was available, and merchants throughout the city offered specials. Small vendors offered their wares. Many businesses stayed open late.

On top of these were new, added attractions. The one generating the most buzz and attracting the most participants was the Color Mob 5K Run, where runners and walkers were subjected to a variety of colored goo as they made their way along the course. Appropriately, some of the run was in the concrete river. A first rate concert in the city’s main park closed the festivities Saturday night, and, in a salute to earlier times, a nostalgic downtown car cruise took over Mill Street.

Different bands entertained throughout the event. A car was smashed and water fights broke out at the parade. The Sheriff’s Chaplain raised money at a breakfast, and roller derby girls entertained.

Organizers and volunteers will be analyzing the event, but two very important results are already known: Most who attended thought it was a great, and most merchants were delighted with the increased traffic and activity.

The town should be pleased. The organizers should be pleased. And, the many who volunteered should be pleased.

One question, however, remains: What’s planned for next year?

Gordon Forgey

Publisher