Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness were evident on the Fourth of July at the Community Center’s Barn in Gilpin County. Following a five-year hiatus, the Barn Dance was back, bigger and better than ever. Featuring familiar favorite music acts and some new ones, locals gathered to celebrate their independence with good music and dancing. Attendees took their seats on hay bales that had been placed throughout the arena. Banjoist Adam Pause and the NoGo Gilbillies appeared on stage first with their homespun brand of bluegrass. Dave “Pump” Solzberg’s vigorous stand-up bass playing kept the rhythm and Dave Pullins’ smokin’ mandolin solos engaged the audience. Bob Dylan’s “Any Day Now” struck a chord.

For lunch, JKQ BBQ offered lip-smacking smoked brisket and pulled pork sandwiches. Less traditional fare from Kaleidoscope Kitchen in the way of coconut-fried shrimp, lobster rolls, jerk chicken skewers, and gyro pitas satisfied the palate. Beer was for sale to wash it down with.

The Sweet Lillies were next on the main stage inside the Barn. Their music has been all too conveniently categorized as Americana/bluegrass, but is much more than that as the band continually evolves. They may have invented an original genre which could be described as “rapgrass.” The fresh urban energy it brought along with Becca Bisque’s lively viola playing got people dancing.

Tweener acts played outside. Maggie Moore, Ricky G. Fox, and Andrea Hensler of Maggie and the Farmcats traveled all the way from Huntington, West Virginia, to perform. Authentic Appalachian bluegrass kept everyone entertained. Windy Pine’s Doug Armitage belted out vocals and ripped on mandolin.

Before critically acclaimed Rapidgrass took the indoor stage, a big check derived from event profits in the amount of $1,000 was presented to music teacher Missy Evers in support of the Gilpin County School Music Department.

Each one successful in the music industry and with huge local followings, Bridget Law, Dango Rose, and Silas Herman and friends jammed away the rest of the early evening.