Bear Valley, CA…The Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway Association is excited to invite all to join the15th annual celebration on the pass, fondly known as Hermitfest West in the ballfield at Bear Valley with an all-day music and craft festival Saturday, September 9, from noon to 8 p.m. The event is free to attend, and donations to the association are gratefully accepted. Food trucks, vendors and information booths will line the ballfield. Signage guides to free parking at the South Lot in Bear Valley. Bring your lawn chairs, picnic blankets and warm clothing for the evening.

Live entertainment includes Grover Anderson and the Lampoliers, Cantamos, Bill Welles, Somer Moon, Skull County and Harry and the Hitmen. New this year will be a kid’s activity area with games and toys. The annual event has become a highly revered reunion for many locals and families.

For those wishing to stay overnight, camping is available directly adjacent to the ballfield in Forest Service campgrounds (and other nearby campgrounds) or opt to stay at Bear Valley Lodge with a 10 percent discount. Activities continue into Sunday morning with yoga and music.

The event is free to attend in 2023, thanks to the generous donations of sponsors and the tireless efforts of the board and volunteers of the Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway Association and community partners. Sponsors of this year’s Fest include the U.S. Forest Service, County of Alpine, Bear Valley and Arnold businesses and communities, Cedar Creek Realty and the Calaveras Visitors Bureau.

Ebbetts Pass was designated as a California Scenic Highway in 1971 and honored with National Scenic Byway status Sept. 22, 2005 by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation in Washington D.C. It is one of only eight nationally designated byways in California. The mission of the all-volunteer Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway Association is to preserve, protect, enhance and promote the unique resources of the byway.

For more information, to volunteer or make a donation, visit scenic4.org.

Event occurs on 09/09/2023 from All Day to .