Helping to organize an all-day music and arts festival for a hoped-for turnout of at least 3,000 is no easy task. But Nancy Macy has pulled if off before. Sandy-haired and spritely in a “San Lorenzo Valley Redemption Recycling” T-shirt, she speaks enthusiastically about the Redwood Mountain Faire materializing on the near horizon—this Saturday, to be exact.
This year’s Faire marks the revival of a tradition, dormant for the past 14 years, whose roots are planted firmly in the memories of those who lived in the San Lorenzo Valley during the 1980s.
“It was really a major part of our lives,” says Macy, one of the ambitious young women who in 1978 formed the Valley Women’s Club, the organization responsible for dreaming up the Redwood Mountain Faire.
The seed was planted in 1980 with an arts and crafts fair that turned over a profit of $300 on champagne and baked goods sales. Organized by Linda Moore and Diana Troxell, who are still members of the VWC, it was called the “Highlands Faire” in honor of its location at Highlands Park. Since art and music go together like peanut butter and jelly, the VWC recruited live musicians the following year and changed its name to the “Redwood Mountains Faire and Folk Music Festival.” The Faire grew over the years, attracting headliners such as local string phenom Bob Brozman, Taj Majal (1984), Etta James (1986) and David Grisman (1993, the year it rained), to name a few. It grew until 1996, the year it became too expensive to pay for itself, and has existed only in memory since.
It was nostalgia for those good old days that made the Community Connection Committee, a branch of the VWC, vote to sponsor a revival of the Faire, an event they say brought a “wonderful feeling to several generations of SLV folks, year after year for 18 years.”
One difference is location—the Faire will be at Roaring Camp this year, rather than Highlands Park, a decision that will save thousands of dollars on shuttle buses. Roaring Camp will provide a train to shuttle festivalgoers from the parking lot to the fairgrounds.
The success of this year’s Faire leans heavily on the support of local businesses and nonprofit organizations. Not-for-profit groups like the Mountain Arts center, Camp Joy, Glenn Arbor School and South Street Centre will get a percentage of the profits.
“It’s a family event, we want people to come and enjoy the music, look at the art, buy the art, support local artists and businesses—that was the original intent,” says Macy.
But the Faire has benefits beyond dollars and cents. “The community in the early days of the fair was very badly divided. There were huge conflicts between individuals and organizations that wanted to promote growth and development in the Valley,” says Macy. “The Redwood Mountain Faire brought people together.”
An army of businesses and volunteers from the Valley are behind the scenes this year, though the spotlight shines on the 33 talented artists and 13 bands on two stages they will proudly host. Headlining the main stage is Matt Costa, a lyrically gifted and successful Californian songster sure to draw old friends and new alike. Older festivalgoers will get a blast from the past when local band Snail breaks out of its antique shell once again to shake the redwoods with its groovy jams. Brothers Comatose bring organic folk reminiscent of the Devil Makes Three complete with the eerie voice of the saw, and Harmony Grits will pepper the mix with the down-home bluegrass no festival is complete without.
The Faire will feature local artists and their unique wares, like garden ornaments constructed from recycled objects by Jane Wrankle and handcrafted jewelry by Nancy Moore. Food will be provided by Blue Sun Catering while the Felton 4-H dads will be barbecuing up a scrumptious feast of meats and veggies. And to wash it all down, five local microbreweries will provide beer along with souvenir pint glasses to remember the day.
THE REDWOOD MOUNTAIN FAIRE is Saturday, June 5, 11am-7pm at Roaring Camp, 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton. Tickets are $20 adv/$25 door for adults; $15 adv/$20 door for seniors and students; $5 kids 6-12; free kids 5 and under. Tickets available at http://redwoodmountainfaire.com.
