Supplying Nederland with good vibrations: Jesse Fox and his crew at Train Cars Coffee and Kava are putting together a literal day-long festival, with bands and DJs rockin’ from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., vendors serving a variety of food and beverages, and local artist Heather Taylor showcasing live art. PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER KELLEY[/caption]

Train Cars Coffee & Kava is brewing something brand new for lovers of art, music, and food. Jesse Fox, owner of Train Cars, is putting together an inaugural event to celebrate a transformative year for the business, as well as celebrate all those who supported the business, and to provide locals and out-of-towners alike a chance to let loose and party until the early morning hours.

“It’s a donation based festival,” Fox told The Mountain-Ear. “It’s going to be free to attend but you’re welcome to donate and chip in towards making this happen year to year. And we’re also going to donate 25% of the proceeds to the Nederland Food Pantry.”

A total of six artists, from the chill sounds of some local singer-songwriters, like Kylie Brock and Lucas Wolf, to more raucous bands like New Family Dog and Iron Roots will be supplying much of the good vibrations for the first Peak Vibes festival, which will be in the Caribou Village Shopping Center parking lot right outside of Train Cars.

“We’re going to have the Keep Nederland Weird All-Stars, who are members of some local favorites coming together for one combination, and we’re going to have Drums and Space, a Grateful Dead cover band.”

The bands will be rocking the stage through the morning into the late afternoon, and then at night five DJs will pump up the crowd until 2 a.m.

“Some of our favorites from Bulas and Beats will be there. We’re going to have Iris, Jelli, B Random, and bringing out Kvndyce Rose and Rizzy Rails from Boulder; they tore it up last time they played for us,” Fox said.

The music will fill the air as attendees of Peak Vibes will get to peruse many vendor booths, with local artists and artisans supplying specialty foods and handmade crafts, as well as giving demonstrations and performing live art.

“We’re hoping to have Adam from Creekside Coffee Roasters do a live demonstration of his roasting,” Fox detailed just a taste of what to expect at the festival. “We’re going to have live art by Heather Taylor. She’s about as local as it gets in the music and art scenes so we’re really happy to have her come aboard. She recently did our sign advertising our art space that we have now; we have a rotating gallery where we bring in new artists every month.”

Fox, having bought the Train Cars business and reopened on August 1, 2022, has since managed to both transform the Train Cars into a fully realized cafe, kava bar, and late night hotspot, as well as maintaining the classic atmosphere that long time locals expect to feel whenever they come in for their morning donuts and coffee.

This festival is yet another addition to how Fox and the Train Cars are harnessing the Nederland spirit and giving the gift of positive energy to all those who wish to feel it.

“We’re hoping that it’s a boon to businesses, not a detriment,” Fox stated. “We’re hoping that it brings people into the area and that they support all the local businesses and that it’s a good thing for the community as a whole.”

“I think people appreciate having something to do, and this is just a celebration of that, and, for everyone who helped us get here, throwing a celebration for them.”

Fox was also sure to mention key players that assisted in making Peak Vibes a reality, including multidisciplinary designer and fabricator Marianna Mezhibovskaya, and event organizers Stephanie Andelman and Deb D’Andrea, who provided Fox with advice and moral support in creating his own ground level festival.

“Overall, every Thursday is karaoke and every Friday and Saturday we have different music acts at the Train Cars. We plan on rolling like that through September and maybe October as long as we can book solid and keep getting the support;” Fox added. “We’ve got another Bulas and Beats on August 19, and we’ll have Iron Roots playing on the 12th, after the Bizarre Cat Bazaar.”

Peak Vibes is scheduled to hit the Caribou Village Shopping Center on Saturday, September 9, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

For any vendors interested in being a part of this inaugural festival please send an email to the Train Cars at thetraincarscoffee@gmail.com.