A songwriting competition this month sang a tone of things to come for the second annual America’s Mountain Festival in July.

A premier event in Woodland Park, the 2026 America’s Mountain Festival Songwriters Competition May 9 mixed country music with the opening of the Tava House restaurant in downtown Woodland Park.

A $10 million project envisioned by Derek Waggoner, the competition was a mini debut as dozens packed the room to cheer on the contestants.

“This competition represents exactly what America’s Mountain Festival is all about —authentic music, storytelling, and community,” Waggoner said in a press release. “To see the River Room filled with people supporting original artists in Woodland Park shows that this community values live music and wants to be part of something special that continues to grow each year.”

The contest featured 10 Colorado songwriters who played their original music.

“We had a lot of people reaching out last year on how to get in the lineup for the festival,” said Heather Burrows, director of operations. “So, for us, the competition was a way to incorporate the local talent with the festival.”

After an evening of music, the judges named Kenya Reese of Parker as the winner.

“A large portion of the audience had to fight back tears as she sang,” said Kim Ledlie, speaking a few days after the competition.

As the winner, Reese will have a 30-minute acoustic performance for the opening set of the festival.

Contestants included Sandy Wells, Jessa Book, Susan Hollis, Abbigail Nadine & jEsTeR, Lynette Wolfe, Meghan Clarisse Cave, Dennis Anderson, Dalton Lafever, Jason Wulf and Reese.

Ben Garcia, Dillon Hoock and Laura Buckallew, each part of the music industry, judged the competition.

“The judges looked for creative energy and crowd participation,” Burrows said.

Reese will introduce the second annual America’s Mountain Festival with headliner Aaron Watson and the Matt Skinner Band, Dalton LaFever, Tyce Delk, Jenna Paulette and Walker Montgomery.

To enhance the cowboy theme, the festival opens the evening before, July 10, with a private dinner at the Tava House.

A ticketed event, the dinner features a gallery showing organized by Gayle Gross, who owns Reserve Our Gallery and manages the Eichman Gallery at Park State Bank & Trust.

“We’ll have special art with a Western theme,” Gross said.

The event is limited to around 55 people, with VIPs getting first opportunity to buy a ticket.  The dinner includes music by Tyce Delk, one of the festival’s performers.

For the festival the next day, July 11, Reserve Our Gallery hosts an art show from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the River Room, with furnishings by Tanner Coy and Tweeds in Woodland Park.

The art show includes an award ceremony at 4:30 p.m. and a People’s Choice award. 

“I’m excited that Derek is interested in bringing the arts into the festival and excited that he is using a local gallery,” Gross said.

Details are at https://www.facebook.com/americasmountainfestivalwp and on the website, https://americasmountainfestival.com.