Dishwashers hit Saratoga

"All these people that are in the front to see the Kitchen Dwellers are called 'Dishwashers'," said Anna Schaffer, Casper Star- Tribune copy editor and fan of the band featured at Saratoga Days. "People here have come from Oregon, Montana, Colorado, all over the country."

According to Schaffer there is a Facebook page dedicated to the fans of the Kitchen Dwellers known as the 'Dishpit' and the fans named themselves the 'Dishwashers'.

Schaffer was excited to see the band in person since the Kitchen Dwellers have played only one live show since March.

Torrin Daniels, banjo player and vocals for the band, was putting together the bands play list for the event about 20 minutes before the show.

"We put on a different show every time we play," Daniels said. "It makes it more fun for us and the audience."

Daniels had been through Saratoga before, but he said the band had never played in the town.

"It is really a beautiful town," Daniels said. "This is exciting to be playing here."

Joe Funk, who plays the stand up bass and vocals, agreed with Daniels about Saratoga's beauty.

"We drive through this town all the time when we are going to Colorado and the Steamboat area," Funk said. "We start from Bozeman and go through Thermopolis and down through here on our way to Walden, and we have done it a million times, but we have never really stopped and partied with the town."

Like Daniels, Funk was excited to be playing before a live audience again.

"We just can't wait to give people a musical experience again because I think a lot of people need something like this in their lives right now," Funk said.

He acknowledged that although the band is not scheduled to play before September, he has hopes of playing before then.

"We just have to be flexible, but because we haven't done this in a while, we just want the crowd to have a good time," Funk said. "I am so happy to be playing to a live audience."

The band started playing at 7:30 p.m. and there were fans dancing next to the stage from the start of their first set.

The band played blue grass instruments, but their music had elements of rock. The crowd made their pleasure known to hear a live show with fist pumps and yells.

This scene was different from the Kitchen Dwellers' last show where they played to an audience that was regulated to vehicles.

That live show had been at a drive-in in Colorado, where the band was filmed and put on the big screen for fans in cars to watch (See "Dwelling in the Valley" on page 9 of the July 1 Saratoga Sun).

The band asked the audience as the show started who was from out of town. Most of the crowd next to the stage raise their hands and shouted a welcome the band's first live show in months.

Scott McIlvaine, along with his wife Michelle, were some of the organizers of Saratoga Days and the reason the Kitchen Dwellers were playing in Saratoga, they were both happy with how the event had gone all day.

"I feel like this year, there were a lot more people here to enjoy the beginning bands, which is awesome, and they kept people here," McIlvaine said. "Visitors have come and done stuff around town all day and experienced our valley, and heard music from Dano from Wyo, who nailed it, and Casey Jones and the Third Rail. Both who were excellent."

McIlvaine said he was happy there was a good size of visitors to Saratoga to enjoy the festivities the town offered.

"I think the best part is the economic impact this event has brung," McIlvaine said. "Everyone is busy all day long and it has been going on since 11. Some places have run out of food, but it's obvious people are enjoying themselves."

Although the Kitchen Dwellers had their fans near the stage dancing, there was social distancing to be seen by groups up and down Bridge Avenue which was closed from First Street to River Street. People sitting on benches kept their distance and the further away from the stage, the less people were in close contact.

"Music is a great way to celebrate the country's birthday," Funk said. "It is great to see the people so happy."

McIlvaine agreed that Saratoga Days this year was a success given the strained circumstances of having an event during COVID-19 times.

"It is a perfect day in Wyoming for the 4th of July," McIlvaine said. "A day like this makes you say, 'God bless America'."