Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival

Our largest event, the Good Old Fashioned has been held each summer since 1994. It features three wonderful days of California bands on the main stage, as well as hot campground pickers on the side stage between main acts. The GOF is also legendary among festival fans for both the quality and quantity of campground jamming.

The festival takes place on the second weekend in August at Bolado Park, just south of Hollister.  There is a tree-filled, shady campground for tent camping and a spacious meadow for RVs. The weather in August is typically comfortably warm during the day, with nights that range from mild to cold (pack layers!) The GOF is kid friendly, with a Kids on Stage program for budding bluegrass musicians and a wonderfull volunteer-staffed crafts and activities corrall next to the audience area.

Please note that there are absolutely no dogs or pets of any kind permitted at Bolado Park, except for service dogs, which must be in uniform at all times.  Any ticketholders or volunteers who arrive with a pet will not be allowed to enter the festival grounds. To avoid unpleasantness and enjoy your festival, please respect this policy and make other arrangements for your pet.

Applications are now being accepted from bands that would like to play at the 2010 festival.

We always need volunteers to help run the festival. Click here for the volunteer form.

News

Call For Designs: 2010 Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival T-Shirt Contest

The August 13-15, 2010 Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival will again feature a tee shirt designed by a contest winner.  We want everyone, big or small, picker or listener, to feel like their ideas are precious to our process.

Our Prize Package: 2010 Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival Tickets for 2 Adults and their children, plus a free tee shirt for the person with the winning design, with their name next to the design.

Contest Rules: The competition is open to everyone.  NCBS membership is not required.

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NCBS Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival Now Officially At Bolado Park In The Town Of “Tres Pinos”

The Northern California Bluegrass Society’s Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival is not moving from Bolado Park, but it is changing towns from “Hollister” to “Tres Pinos.” The festival has, of course, always been in Tres Pinos, but a decision made  by organizers of the first festival in 1994 designated the larger, better-known community of Hollister as the “official” town location for promotional purposes. Now, the official location will be the same as the actual location:

The Northern California Bluegrass Society presents:

The 17th Annual Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival

Bolado Park, Tres Pinos, California

August 13-15, 2010

Bolado Park and the tiny hamlet of Tres Pinos are 7 miles south of Hollister on Old Airline Highway (Highway 25). Tres Pinos is Spanish for “Three Pines,” a very bluegrassy town name.

Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival Upgrades To Full RV Hook-Ups For 2010

Bolado Park, the San Benito County Fairgrounds, has upgraded all RV hook-ups on the grounds to full hook-up status, with electricity, water and sewer available. The park in Tres Pinos, 7 miles south of Hollister, is the venue for the Northern California Bluegrass Society’s Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival. The 17th annual festival is set for August 13-15, 2010.

The festival will also continue to offer RV electricity-only,  dry RV camping, and tent camping onsite for GOF patrons. Nearby Hollister offers a wide selection of motel rooms. Day visitors are also welcome.

Information For Bands Interested In Performing At The Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival

California-based bluegrass bands (only) will be considered by the Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival Band Committee for one 45-minute set during the August 13-15, 2010 festival. All bands must apply, even if returning to the festival. Applications are due on December 31, 2009. Late applications will not be considered during the first round, but will be placed on the waiting list. 25 bands will perform on the main stage. For more information, visit the GOF Band Page and the GOF Band Application.

2010 Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival Band Applications Due On December 31, 2009

Band Applications for the August 13-15, 2010 Northern California Bluegrass Society Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival are due on December 31, 2009. All California-based bluegrass bands are encouraged to apply.

The 17th annual festival is a celebration of California bluegrass talent, and will offer the best jamming of the year.