History:
The festival began when founders Robert Bonfiglio (Founding Director) and Clare Hoffman (Artistic Director) were hiking through the canyon and the head ranger asked if they would play a concert for a retiring ranger. They agreed and performed an impromptu concert at the Cottonwood Campground below the North Rim. Encouraged by the local community and businesses, the inaugural season took place in September 1984 and has grown from three concerts to nine concerts that span a 3-week period.