THIS FESTIVAL IS NOW 25 YEARS OF GOOD OLD FASHIONED FUN: 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 brand new Late Night Stage kicks off in the Dance Hall on Friday & Saturday nights. Plus, the First Stage beginning at 11:00am on Friday will feature even more exciting bands in the San Benito County Historical Park’s Historical Village.
The GOF offers flushy restrooms, hot showers, shade in the audience area, a low-power broadcast of the stage to the camp, excellent sound, tent & RV camping, children’s activities, a raffle, the NCBS election, food and craft vendors, nominations for the Northern California Bluegrass Awards, 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 has upgraded some facilities since of our first year and features a lovely historical village that is perfect for jamming. There are gorgeous views of the hills.
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.
Gate Prices:
3-Day Adult $110
2-Day 85
1-Day Sat. 55
1-Day Fri or Sun 45
Youths (Ages 13-17) – above prices discounted to $65/50/35/30
Seniors (65 & above) – above prices discounted to $100/80/50/40
Children (12 & under) – FREE
Thursday Ticket $15. Gates open at NOON on Thursday.
CAMPING: Camping is FREE with all multi-day tickets. The water is the same as at Bolado Park, so bring water for drinking & cooking purposes. No RV hook-ups this year. 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:
There are no stage performances on Thursday afternoon, which is reserved for jamming and socializing.
(The ‘Tweener Stage alternates with the Main Stage.)
FRIDAY, August 10
First Stage
Main Stage
3:00pm — Wildcat Mountain Ramblers
4:00 — Red Dog Ash
5:00 — (Dinner Break/Tours)
6:00 — Faux Renwah
7:00 — Goat Hill Girls
8:00 — Snap Jackson & The Knock On Wood Players
9:00 — Blue Summit
Dance Hall Stage
10:30pm – Loganville
SATURDAY, August 11
Main Stage
10:00am — Jubilee
11:00 — The Hossettes
Noon — Rogue River
1:00pm — (Workshop/Lunch Break)
2:00 — Lucky Drive Bluegrass Band
3:00 — Brookdale Bluegrass Band
4:00 — The Quitters
5:00 — (Workshop/Dinner Break)
6:00 — The Jones Gang
7:00 — Highway One
8:00 — Sidesaddle & Co
9:00 — Bean Creek
Dance Hall Stage
10:30pm – The Town Howlers
SUNDAY, August 12
Main Stage
10:00am — Dark Hollow (Gospel Plus)
11:00 — North Country Blue
12:00 — Bodie 601 Band
12:45pm — (Lunch Break)
1:15 — Kids On Stage
2:15 — GrassKickers
3:15 — High Water Line
4:15 — Stoney Mountain Ramblers
OTHER FUN: Take a tour of the historical village. Plus take atour of the earthquake-driven landform that makes up the area.
DIRECTIONS:
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.
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.
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.
CAMP BROADCAST: KGOF will provide a low-power broadcast of the stage to the camp on your FM radio.
WEATHER: Sunny & beautiful. Thursday: High 95, Low 63. Friday: High 92 Low 59. Saturday: High 87, Low 56. Sunday: High 84, Low 55. We don’t know what to expect about blowing smoke from fires elsewhere in the state. At press time, our festival location is just about the only place in California with clean air, but winds could change direction over the weekend.
SEE YOU AT THE 25th ANNUAL FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND! And remember, all of your friends will be there!