By Mike Armstrong
Writer, Carbon County Comet
The What Fest event is making a comeback to its previous site. The organizers are happy to be returning as the attendees, at last, seemed pleased with the new location.
The location years prior have had some controversy.
About five years ago, the What Fest was held in the town of Riverside. The event was a success in how many attended. But there were residents in the Riverside/Encampment communities who felt the What Fest should not be welcome in their area due to parking, trash and festival goers using private yards as restrooms.
What Fest moved over to Centennial for a bit, but the landscape was not suited for the event. Damien Cesko said What Fest is not only a concert event with bands and singers from the state of Wyoming, but it is also an event that encourages camping.
The location they have now is conducive to having stages set up, there is plenty of room to spend the night if desired.
Cesko said there has been tremendous support for this event to work.
“We have a fantastic place to have the festival thanks to Roger (Burau) and his family,” Cesko said. “Not only are they supporting us, but so is the County Sheriff’s Department, Carbon County Fire Department along with the local Saratoga police department.”
Cesko said the crowd which attends this event is very eclectic.
“We have all sorts of music being represented by all these artists, which are coming from Wyoming,” Cesko said. “They bring their fans and honestly, this is an event, where if you enjoy music, you will probably have a good time.”
Cesko said he got involved last year when his band played and he was a sponsor.
“I offered a bit of assistance where I could, and then this year, I found myself on the board,” Cesko said. “I enjoy helping make this event happen because it is so great to see so many people enjoying themselves. You can see kids running around and adults doing the same thing. The green pastures with the river running through the property make the atmosphere exceptional.”
Cesko said this year the What Fest board has partnered with the Wyoming Song Writers Association and this organization will have an acoustic stage that will allow music education to those who want it.
“This will give people a chance to play a bit of music which normally they would not be able to,” Cesko said. “This could be really great for a lot of singers who might not be on the schedule.”
Cesko, who is president of the Rawlins Music Academy, said he enjoys helping pull the event off because he loves music so much in various capacities.
“It has been a natural fit for me to be involved in a festival that promotes Wyoming music,” Cesko said. “I have always wanted to help bring music to audiences.”
Cesko said the What Fest is to provide entertainment to attendees and an outlet for musicians, Wyoming ones in particular.
On another note, he said the volunteers who help make this festival work, can’t be praised enough.
“There are no paid people, except maybe for security or parking, but mostly it is gob of people who put in a gob of hours to make this a success,” Cesko said. “They are committed and excited for the What Fest to do well.”
There will be food and drink trucks coming from all over the County, and Cesko believes there will be plenty of attendees camping to enjoy what is being offered. Wyoming Public Health will have a presence giving out sunscreen and making sure there is first aid on site.
“We are working in cooperation with the many departments of the County because it is a lot easier to work on the front side together instead of the backside,” Cesko said. “And we truly appreciate their help.”
Cesko is eager for the weekend to come so people can enjoy what Carbon County has to offer the attendees.
“We will do our best to improve some of the hiccups and road bumps we had last year,” Cesko said. “Every year, our goal will be to make What Fest that much better than the year before.
