Whenever an organization ventures into putting on a new community event in Pahrump, the outcome of that new endeavor is always up in the air and it is nearly impossible to say just how things will turn out. However, for organizers of the Pahrump Music Festival, there was never any doubt that this event was going to draw a huge crowd and those expectations were borne out this past weekend.
Thousands of people inundated Petrack Park throughout Thursday, June 3 to Sunday, June 6, coming from all across town and the surrounding areas and even from other towns and states to partake of all there was to scintillate the senses during the Pahrump Music Festival.
From the main stage where professional performers and locals alike were able to strut their stuff and the art exhibits inside the Bob Ruud Community Center to the pulse-pounding carnival and abundance of vendors to the numerous other sights and activities, the Pahrump Music Festival had something to offer just about anyone. Judging by the enormous turnout, this is undoubtedly going to become one of the most notable annual events on the Pahrump calendar.
“The Pahrump Music Festival exceeded our expectations,” VinoJazz co-founder and event organizer Doug Dubin told the Pahrump Valley Times following the festival. “I was approached by concert-goers who told me, ‘This is the best thing to happen to Pahrump!’”
While it is difficult to determine a precise count at a festival of this kind, where general admission was free, Dubin said he was confident in reporting that attendance was well into the thousands throughout the four-day event.
“We had over 60 vendors in attendance and the majority of the vendors either sold products, developed brand recognition or lead generation and were very pleased. They indicated they wanted to be involved in future events with us,” Dubin detailed. “G&S Carnivals came from California. This was their first major event in Nevada and after our wrap-up meeting, this event also exceeded their expectations and we look forward to future events together.”
Dubin detailed that there were over 25 entries for the talent contest, with winners including Tia Jones, first place; Ella Rose Brondo, second place; and Avery Sampson, third place.
The local Elks Lodge got in on the fun as well, hosting an art contest that invited event attendees to decorate pictures of the American Flag for the chance to win a brand new bicycle, more than a dozen of which were given away during the festival.
One of the most special moments of the occasion took place on Saturday night, before the large crowd that had gathered to watch that evening’s headline performer. Prior to introducing Adam D. Tucker and Vegas McGraw, a popular Tim McGraw tribute band, Dubin asked Raymond Cruz to come before the stage to receive an award that Dubin was obviously thrilled to be able to present.
“I presented Raymond, the past CEO of the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Foundation, with a lifetime achievement award for his tireless and ongoing dedication to bringing the arts to Simi Valley, Los Angeles and surrounding communities,” Dubin told the Times. Dubin, a former Simi Valley resident himself, had gotten to know Cruz many years ago when the VinoJazz Foundation was just getting its start. “His dedication to helping children become more involved in the arts is unwavering. Ray understands the importance of having some type of art in the kids’ lives to help them succeed,” Dubin stated.
As with any event of this scale, the festival was the product of a lot of hard work and effort from a vast array of people, businesses and organizations. Dubin offered his thanks to all involved. “I would like to thank my wife and daughters as well as the limited number of dedicated volunteers that stepped up and gave their all to make this event a success. We originally were expecting over 50 volunteers but due to a miscommunication those volunteers were unable to make the event,” Dubin said. “We worked together in many different positions during the event and even the vendors said ‘Wow, we were so well taken care of, we thought you had more people helping.’
“A huge thank you goes out to my wife Brigitte, daughters Jenniffer and Tiffannie, as well as Priscilla, Richard, Ian and Shawn. Special thank yous to Glenda and Candace and all of our vendors and sponsors,” Dubin continued. “A very special thank you to our top sponsors Pie Crust in honor of Silvermane, and the Ahern Rental Group and Mario the GM for making this event a success. Other sponsors include Holiday Inn Express, which was the official hotel of the event, Area 51 and Blackjack Fireworks, Marianne Yoffee, Spring Mountain Medical, Saitta Trudeau, American Family Insurance, RPS Media Concept, CoreCivic, Golden Casino Group, 5280 Mexican Grub, Garry Brodbeck Golf Carts and Shop Local Pahrump. We also appreciate the support provided by the Nye County Board of County Commissioners, Nye County Sheriff Sharon Wehrly, Detective Tippetts, the Nye County Sheriff’s Office and the Nye County Sheriff’s Auxiliary, Tim Sutton, the town of Pahrump and staff, and the many more behind the scenes of this amazing project, including the local retailers that helped educate, inform and sell carnival tickets.”
The Pahrump Music Festival may be done and over with now but VinoJazz is still hard at work in an effort to create even more events for the entire community to enjoy. Next up will be the Food Truck Fiesta, details of which will be included in an upcoming edition of the Pahrump Valley Times.
Contact reporter Robin Hebrock at rhebrock@pvtimes.com