edible festivals
SIERRA HIGH
Music, campers, and good food converge in the forest for July 4th weekend.
WRITTEN BY AMANDA BURDEN
PHOTOS BY JACI GOODMAN AND COURTESY OF HIGH SIERRA MUSIC FESTIVAL
Do you want to enjoy the heat of the summer high in the Sierra Nevada? Are you partial to eclectic music and hoards of like-minded campers? If so, head to the High Sierra Music Festival in nearby Quincy, Calif. While the gathering has a long history of providing a jam-packed lineup of interesting bands in a beautiful alpine environment, most folks don’t know about the distinct food choices offered at the event. Festivalgoers can find oysters shucked before their eyes, fine paella sizzled up in giant pans, handmade dim sum, fresh smoothies, gourmet barbecue, tasty gyros, and more. Surprisingly, there’s no shortage of savory choices.
Enjoying its 23rd year, High Sierra again will bring a long list of musicians to the four-day festival. Music geeks relish the event for its variety of musical styles, including funk, soul, jazz, roots, bluegrass, rhythm and blues, world, country blues, indie rock, electronic dance and chill, reggae, and garage rock. You might even hear a harp plucked mightily to a rock tune. Headliners this year are Primus, Thievery Corporation, Moe, Steel Pulse, and Leftover Salmon. But High Sierra has a reputation for showcasing up-and-coming and relatively unknown bands, and this year is no exception. While you’ll hear bands such as The Greyboy Allstars, who have been playing together for about 20 years, you’ll also catch Allen Stone, a young soul singer with a striking voice, and Lord Huron, a new band that’s full of talent. There are many more on the roster, including Sarah Jarosz, who sings soothing ballads as she strums a mandolin, banjo, or guitar. Gramatik offers funky electronic beats, Emancipator plays calming instrumentals, Houndmouth leans toward folk rock, and the list goes on.
The festival is first and foremost about the music. It’s lovingly organized by music lovers for music lovers. These people are serious about music. And they are serious about having a good time. Complementing the music are workshops, vendors, and that distinctive food and drink.
Participants will find vegetarian, vegan, and meaty fare — with an emphasis on organic options. In the main food area, you can try traditional and vegetarian paella by Gerard’s Paella of Occidental, Calif.; from-scratch Mexican fare from Blue Sun Café of Boulder Creek, Calif.; savory and sweet crêpes by Krepalicious of North San Juan, Calif.; Santa Maria-style tri tip, slow-smoked brisket, and pulled pork from Smokin’ Oak BBQ of McKinleyville, Calif.; and authentic Greek fare from Spiro’s Gyros of Ukiah, Calif., among other choices. Near the Vaudeville Stage, you’ll discover Bill the Oyster Man of Santa Cruz, Calif., serving fresh oysters and shrimp cocktails and Dim Sum Charlie’s of Napa, Calif., handing out dim sum and noodle soups from an old Airstream trailer.
Coffee drinks, smoothies, Hawaiian shaved ice (from Organic Ice of South Lake Tahoe) also are available. There’s even a beer and wine tasting event each evening and cocktails at the High Sierra bar.
While you’ll see all generations at the festival (including quite a few children and families, which are catered to with games, sing-alongs, and other activities), night owls are accommodated with music and more until the wee hours of the morning. There’s also yoga, fire spinning, environmental organizations and vendors, crafts, and workshops (where, for one, you can play along to music with your own instruments).
In terms of lodging, most people camp in tents and trailers on and near the site of the festival. But campsites and hotel rooms sell out quickly. So book soon.
Regulars know that High Sierra is a distinct music festival in a beautiful setting. The bonus for ticketholders is they get to relish flavorful and fresh fare that perfectly pairs with the scene.
Amanda Burden is editor and publisher of edible Reno-Tahoe. She enjoyed attending last year’s festival and recommends that festivalgoers bring or buy anything and everything to stay cool, including shade, misters, and ice-cold beverages. The high-altitude location at that time of the year is deceptively hot.
Resources
High Sierra Music Festival
July 4 – 7
Plumas County Fairgrounds, Quincy, Calif.
Day passes are $65 to $85. Adult and children’s multi-day passes are also available
A great resource is the festival’s website, which provides a descriptive bio and video of each band that’s playing so you can plan who you want to hear/see prior to the show. For details, visit http://www.Highsierramusic.com
