How One Grant Application Sparked a Movement in Colfax
Something special is happening in Colfax.
And it all started with a single question:
“What if our little town became known for live music?”
That one idea — tossed out during a Historic Colfax Downtown Association meeting — sparked a movement that would change the rhythm of downtown forever.
The Spark: A Dream of Music and Momentum
We’ve always believed in Colfax. In its charm, its people, its potential. But in early 2025, we found ourselves asking how we could breathe new life into downtown — how to move beyond familiar events and create something that truly unites our community.
That’s when we discovered the Levitt AMP Music Series Grant — a national initiative that funds free outdoor concerts in small towns across America.
It wasn’t just an opportunity for funding; it was a challenge to dream bigger.
We applied — and in the process, something shifted.
What began as a stack of grant paperwork became a vision. We pictured Depot Park full of neighbors, laughter, and the sound of live music echoing off the foothills. We imagined Colfax as a destination for culture and connection — not just a stop along the rails, but a stage for something beautiful.
When we learned that Colfax made the Top 100 nationwide, the message was clear:
We were ready to turn our dream into action.
So we launched the Rock the Vote Concert to gain awareness for the Public Voting Round and what do you know? We kept up with cities 100 times our size and made it into the TOP 50 FINALISTS! That just shows you how much grit and passion this small town has!
Reimagining a Tradition: Oktoberfest Becomes Pints & Grooves
We didn’t want to wait to see if we’d win the grant.
We wanted to show the Levitt Foundation— and ourselves — what Colfax could do right now.
So we took one of our most familiar events, Oktoberfest, and gave it a bold new identity:
🎶 Pints & Grooves.
We shifted the focus from beer to music, from tradition to transformation.
Instead of a single stage tucked into the background, we built a concert experience right in the center of town.
Three music performances.
Four food trucks.
A beer garden featuring local brews.
And hundreds of people who came to see what all the buzz was about.
The Night Colfax Came Alive
The evening of Pints & Grooves felt like something out of a storybook.
Lawn chairs lined the park on Main Street. The air smelled like opportunity. Kids danced in the grass while neighbors shared drinks under the glow of string lights.
From the moment George Hoffman, a Colfax High School student, strummed his first chord, the crowd fell silent — then erupted in applause. George’s performance reminded everyone why we wanted to bring more music to town: because it inspires the next generation.
Then Michael James Cox took the stage with his soulful outlaw-country storytelling, followed by Steel Horse Stampede, whose high-energy country rock had everyone clapping, dancing, and shouting for more.
We ran out of beer and had to scramble for kegs. Three times.
And no one wanted to leave.
One longtime resident summed it up perfectly:
“This is the most alive I’ve ever seen Colfax.”
That night wasn’t just a concert.
It was a statement.
Colfax was ready for a comeback — and music would lead the way.
The Sponsors Who Made It Possible
Every great event has heroes behind the scenes.
Pints & Grooves was no exception.
This dream came to life thanks to the generosity and partnership of local sponsors who believed in what we were building:
- NCM Lending — our stage sponsor, helping us literally lay the foundation for live music in downtown Colfax.
- Knee Deep Brewing Co. — who not only poured the beer but poured their passion into helping us elevate the event.
- Montoliva Winery — adding a touch of local flavor and community spirit.
- Mar-Val’s Sierra Market — providing supplies and steadfast local support.
- Colfax Farm & Country Store — helping us make the event authentically “Colfax.”
- Placer County District 5 / Cindy Gustafson’s Office — for helping secure a county sponsorship that made the night possible.
And to every volunteer, vendor, and community member who donated, shared a post, or simply showed up with enthusiasm — you made the night what it was.
You turned a grant idea into a living, breathing celebration of who we are.
Beyond One Night: Building the Future of Music in Colfax
Pints & Grooves wasn’t a one-off experiment.
It was the beginning of something bigger.
Whether or not Colfax wins the Levitt AMP grant, we’re moving forward with a 2026 Summer Concert Series — a season of free, live music designed to bring our community together and draw new visitors to downtown.
We’re building partnerships, growing our music scene, and giving local talent a place to shine. Because we’ve seen what happens when a small town decides to dream out loud.
Music connects us. It fuels our local economy. It strengthens our sense of identity.
Most importantly, it reminds us why we love where we live.
Colfax Is on the Move — and Music Is Getting Us There
What started as one grant application has turned into a movement.
A movement to celebrate art, creativity, and connection.
A movement to make downtown Colfax not just a destination, but a feeling.
We may be small, but our sound is big.
And as the last notes of Pints & Grooves fade, one thing rings true:
🎵 This is just the beginning.
Join the Movement
Want to be part of what’s next?
- Follow us: Facebook and Instagram
- Sponsor an event: Help us grow the 2026 concert series
- Volunteer: Be part of the team bringing life and sound to downtown
- Donate: Support free, community-powered music experiences DONATE NOW >>
Because in Colfax, we’re proving one thing loud and clear:
When a community comes together with purpose, even one idea — one grant — can change everything.
