All You Need To Know To Go To The Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival This Weekend

Here it is: All You Need To Know To Go To The Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival This Weekend.

THIS FESTIVAL IS NOW 30 YEARS OLD, but due to the pandemic, we will gather for the only the 29th time.

The Northern California Bluegrass Society’s Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival is fun, relaxed, and close-to home. This weekend’s Thursday-Sunday gathering features great California bluegrass bands on the main stage and many more bands on the ‘tweener stage.  The Late Night Stage kicks off in the Dance Hall on Saturday night. Plus, the First Stage beginning at 10:00am on Friday will feature even more exciting bands in the San Benito County Historical Park’s Historical Village.

The GOF offers restrooms, hot showers, shade in the audience area, excellent sound, tent & RV camping, children’s activities, a raffle, the NCBS election, food and craft vendors, and easy handicapped access, along with plenty of fun jamming! The GOF is a benefit for the NCBS and helps the Society’s volunteers provide services to area bluegrass community all year long.

The San Benito County Historical Park is set in a beautiful valley of ranches and vineyards. The park features a lovely historical village that is perfect for jamming.  There are gorgeous views of the hills. Thanks to our hosts — The San Benito County Historical Society!

The Historical Park at 8300 Airline Highway, Tres Pinos is next to Bolado Park, 7 miles south of Hollister.

TICKETS: There will be plenty of tickets at the gate.

At the Gate prices:

Adults Seniors (65+) Youth (13-17)
3 Day $145 $130 $85
2 Day $105 $100 $65
1 Day (Saturday) $70 $65 $50
1 Day (Friday) $60 $55 $35
1 Day (Sunday) $45 $40 $30

The festival is free for children age 12 or under.

Thursday Ticket $15.  Gates open at NOON on Thursday.

CAMPING: Camping is FREE with all multi-day tickets.  Bring water for drinking & cooking purposes. No RV hook-ups. If hook-ups are needed, they are available next door at Bolado Park, but a vehicle will be needed. Walking from Bolado Park to the Historical Park on the highway is not advised.

MUSIC SCHEDULE:

Thursday afternoon is reserved for jamming and socializing. There will be a band playing on the Lantern Stage (bring your camp lantern) at dark.

There have been some last-minute changes to the Sunday schedule. The Wildcat Mountain Ramblers will perform at 10:00am. Sunny Side Of The Mountain will play at Noon. (This year, there will not be a Kids On Stage show.)

SUNDAY, August 13

Main Stage

10:00am — Wildcat Mountain Ramblers

11:00 — Lonesome Still

Noon — Sunny Side Of The Mountain

1:00pm — West 45

2:00 — Eric Burman & The Brookdale Bluegrass Band

 

OTHER FUN: Take a tour of the historical village.

DIRECTIONS:

>From The Bay Area:

South on Highway 101 to just past Gilroy.
Exit right, then left over bridge on Highway 25 and go
southeast towards Hollister.
(Follow signs to Pinnacles National Park.)
Go through Hollister, then continue south on 25.

>From The Central Valley:

Exit I-5 at Highway 152 (Pacheco Pass) and go west
towards Gilroy.
Turn left on Highway 156 just past Casa de Fruta and go
south towards Hollister.
Go through Hollister, then continue south on Highway 25.

>From The Central Coast:

Take either Highway 101 (or Highway 1 to Highway 129 to 101)
north & east towards San Juan Bautista.
Turn on Highway 156 near San Juan Bautista and go east towards
Hollister.
Go through Hollister, then continue south on Highway 25.

>FROM HOLLISTER:
Drive south on Highway 25, following signs to the Pinnacles and Bolado Park
The San Benito County Historical Park is 7 miles south of Hollister on Highway 25 (and 2 miles south of the town of Tres Pinos).
Turn right and go over the bridge into the park.

Gas stations, food stores, etc. are plentiful in Hollister and limited in Tres Pinos.

PETS: DOGS ARE ALLOWED, but must remain in the designated Dog Camping Area and in the (new!) Stage Area Dog Enclosure.

WEATHER: Perfect — Sunny & Beautiful! Thursday: High 77, Low 55. Friday: High 77 Low 56. Saturday: High 81, Low 55. Sunday: High 85, Low 56.

SEE YOU AT THE 29th GOF FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND! And remember, all of your friends will be there!

Hollister welcomes the Good Old Fashioned!