Life

Bluegrass at Jump Off draws 700

By Bill Moss, Published: May 20, 2012

LAUREL PARK — W.A. Smith would have been pleased.

The developer of Laurel Park, a visionary who built Rhododendron Lake, the Laurel Park Casino and Swiss Cog railroad, knew that promoting Laurel Park meant to exploit its natural beauty and unmatched climate.
Tom Wilson of Rocky Flats picks.Both assets were plentifully displayed Saturday when more than 700 people turned out for the third annual Bluegrass and Barbecue at Jumpoff Rock. Featuring the Lonesome Road Band and Rocky Flats Bluegrass Band, the outdoor concert was the most successful Jumpoff yet for the Laurel Park Civic Association.
"We started three years ago and basically didn't advertise and had about a hundred people," said Civic Association president Sonny Iler. "We got a lot of support from the town of Laurel Park and last year we had about 390 people."
Looking out at a sea of people, and a line for the barbecue wagon that stretched 60 yards to Jumpoff Rock and fish-hooked around it, he said, "This year we really stepped up the advertising and the popularity of it has just grown. It's been like a big outdoor party."
Money from the fundraisers pays for landscaping projects, the historic markers that describe the town's significant events and developments and other projects.
Next up on is rock'n'roll on Jumpoff Rock with the Night Crawlers playing '60s and '70s music.