Fanny Hill Goes Hot Medium & Wild

June 10th, 2007 at 11:24am Jessica Andrews 393

Someone draped trappings of red white and green along the base of Fanny Hill Friday afternoon, but no Santa Clause could be found this past weekend in Snowmass.

Instead, the Chili Brew feast drew upon characters from around the valley. They were all sporting an array of festive attire from Hawaiian shirts and flower leis, to colored beads, and one oversized top hat designed to look like a pint of beer.

Not even the heavy manufacturing, gigantic cranes, or the hordes of construction workers around the Base of the mountain could stop patrons from attending the first day of the Chili Brew Fest.

The weekend-long event kicked off Friday with performances by Sweet Sunny South, the Del McCoury Band and the David Grisman Quintet.

Though Friday was reserved for the more laid back and settling crowd, by 2:30 Saturday afternoon lines were our the door for tickets, food and beer. Down to earth fans mingled, danced and found residence on the hill with blankets folding chair and coolers. They all awaited the featured performance of Ziggy Marley at 7 pm.

“I come here every year, the Chili Brew Fest is one of my favorite times of year,” upcoming Aspen High school Senior, Cory Parker said, as he watched the band on stage do a sound check. “I think a lot more people will show up this year because everybody wants to see Ziggy play.”

When the daylight faded- slowly over the mountains and the “brew stands” closed for business- the festival started to live up to its nickname: hot, medium and wild.

Unruly, buzzed and somewhat flatulent fans crowded the base of the hill and listened to the music.

“We have only had to throw of few people out over the years,” Said Aspen Event Security employee Gareth Duffy. “Our job is just to make sure nobody tries the jump the fence and to get a little closer to the band.”

In fact, many boisterous, rowdy fans did try to push the boundaries Saturday night as young and old people squished and squeezed together: trying to get a better look at the stage.

The Chili brew fest is only the beginning of a “hot and wild” summer of fun in Snowmass: including the Summer Concert Series which kicks off Thursday, June 28 on the base of Snowmass mountain.

Entry Filed under: Nightlife, Family, Pitkin County, Outdoors