BY KAREN BOSSICK

Sun Valley Resort will hold its inaugural Baldy Bluebird Music Festival July 4 and 5.

The two-day festival will be presented in the evenings with RJK Entertainment at River Run Plaza.

“This Fourth of July holiday, we're excited to invite guests to our first annual Baldy Bluebird Music Festival, featuring two days of music at the base of our iconic Bald Mountain," said Pete Sonntag, Sun Valley Resort general manager and vice president. "What makes summer in Sun Valley so special is that there's something for all families and visitors to enjoy, from live music to adventurous hikes, horseback rides, our signature pickleball tournaments, and everything in between.”

The first evening, which will feature a special Fourth of July surprise following the concert, will feature:

Midland, a Texas band known for its country steel guitar twangs and harmonies

Charlie Worsham, a Mississippi native who was a former member of old Crow Medicine Show and who has toured with such acts as Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley and Kenny Rogers

Axel Diehl, a Wood River Valley native who has written a number of songs drawing from the heart of the American West

The second evening will feature:

Grace Potter, a Grammy-nominated singer with lyrical sensitivity and rockstar sensibility

JD Clayton, an Arkansas -born singer and songwriter who writes songs about growing up where the Old South meets the New West

The Pisten Bullys, a Ketchum band that has shared an Americana-influenced alt-country sounds for 20 years or more.

Tickets are available at https://www.sunvalley.com/events/baldy-bluebird-festival/

The non-profit beneficiaries of the concerts are Blaine County Charitable Fund, which provides emergency rental assistance and other help to families experiencing temporary crises, and Wood River Baseball Association.

The week’s activities will also include:

The Sun Valley Ballet Festival, which will bring the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago to the Sun Valley Pavilion on June 29-30

Sun Valley’s Kickoff Party on July 1 when lifts will begin spinning for hiking, biking, adventuring and live music at River Run

Sun Valley on Ice’s opening performance on July 3 followed by fireworks at the Sun Valley Pavilion

A Pickleball Tournament on July 6 at Sun Valley’s Tennis and Pickleball Center.

VIP packages and lodging specials are now available. Guests who book a minimum three-night stay from July 3-6 can enjoy luxury accommodations in the heart of all the action. They will also receive two VIP tickets to each day of the Baldy Bluebird Music Festival. VIP tickets include a special event entrance and access to River Run Lodge, where they can purchase drinks from the Lodge bar and use the Lodge restrooms.