THIS FESTIVAL IS 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 25 great California 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 Saturday night. Plus, the First Stage beginning at Noon on Friday will feature even more exciting bands in a intimate setting.
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. Winter storms opened up gorgeous new views of the hills (more like Bolado Park) and have added a rocky beach along the creek!
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.)
RIDAY, August 11
First Stage
Noon — Short Cross Ties
1:00pm — The Beauty Operators
2:00 — Dusty Moon
Main Stage
3:00pm — Nate Jones & The Sloe Sippers
4:00 — Black Eyed Susies
5:00 — Cryin’ Shame
6:00 — Sidetrack
7:00 — Goat Hill Girls
8:00 — Wendy Burch Steel & Redwood
9:00 — Snap Jackson & The Knock On Wood Players
SATURDAY, August 12
10:00am — 35 Years Of Trouble
11:00 — The Mountain & The Moon
Noon — Rogue River
1:00pm — (Workshop/Lunch Break)
2:00 — Hot October
3:00 — Circle R Boys
4:00 — Brookdale Bluegrass Band
5:00 — (Workshop/Dinner Break)
6:00 — The Jones Gang
7:00 — Bodie 601 Band
8:00 — Sidesaddle & Co
9:00 — High Country
Dance Hall Stage
10:30pm — Honeysuckle Possums
SUNDAY, August 13
Main Stage
9:00am — Crying Uncle
10:00 — Dark Hollow (Gospel Plus)
11:00 — Old Belle
Noon — Stoney Mountain Ramblers
12:45pm — (Lunch Break)
1:15 — Kids On Stage
2:15 — AJ Lee & Blue Summit
3:15 — Courthouse Ramblers
4:15 — Pathetic Honey String Band
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 Batista.
Turn on Highway 156 near San Juan Batista 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 85, Low 55. Friday: High 86 Low 55. Saturday: High 83, Low 54. Sunday: High 82, Low 57.
SEE YOU AT THE FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND! And remember, all of your friends will be there!
