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Silverthorne — Despite having to cancel its annual Blue River Festival set for September, Silverthorne will raise funds for river health with a blue grass concert Friday. Proceeds will benefit the Blue River Restoration Fund used to construct fish habitat enhancement structures, expand public access areas and maintain the Lower Blue's Gold Medal Trout designation.

Two Colorado-based bluegrass bands - Head for the Hills and Spring Creek - will perform on the Pavilion lawn at 6 p.m. Friday. Spring Creek will take the stage at about 8 p.m.

Head for the Hills "is a vibrant mixture of homegrown compositions, traditional harmonies and an innovative approach to improvisation," said the band's website. The quartet - made up of Adam Kinghorn, Joe Lessard, Matt Loewen and Mike Chappell - hails from Fort Collins.

Lyons-based bluegrass band Spring Creek is known for its beautiful harmonies and original songs. Musicians Alex Johnstone, Taylor Sims, Chris Elliot and Jessica Smith make up the crew.

A local fly-fishing shop, Cutthroat Anglers, will be on hand before the concert starts to give fly-fishing tips and gear demonstrations. Staff from Trout Unlimited - a nonprofit focused on conservation, protection and restoration of North America's cold-water fisheries and watersheds - will also be available to speak about their mission during the fundraiser.

Fundraiser

Because Silverthorne has been in charge of maintaining river health between the Dillon Dam and Green Mountain Reservoir since 2003, the town has put on the Blue River Festival as the primary fundraiser for numerous years.

"Blue River Festival took a year hiatus to be restructured," said Christine Mahorney, Silverthorne Pavilion manager. The bluegrass concert will act as a fundraiser in its place.

Silverthorne's 2009 Blue River Festival was originally set for Sept. 11 and 12, but was canceled due to the down economy. According to Silverthorne's financial director Donna Braun in June, canceling the festival this year will save the town $45,000.

"We're donating 100 percent of alcohol proceeds and food, and a portion of ticket sales to the restoration fund," Mahorney said of the Friday concert, noting the importance of keeping money in the fund as the town considers doing future river projects.

For more information about the Blue River Restoration Fund, call Silverthorne's Town Hall at 970=262-7300. To find out more about Trout Unlimited, visit www.tu.org.