Bear Valley, CA…The Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway Association will be back in Bear Valley on Saturday, September 7th, with our Annual Hermitfest West celebration of the Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway. We’ll have all-day music, food & artisan vendors, kids’ activities, and more from Noon-7pm. Weather permitting, there will be a late-night jam session on Saturday evening and Sunday Morning Revival activities, with acoustic music, Yoga with Alex, and breakfast treats available for those who choose to stay overnight.

2022 Photo Courtesy of Jan Hovey

New this year will be guided mountain bike rides on Sunday courtesy of Bear Valley Adventure Company and Mountain Aloha:

GROUP MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE – Hermit Fest
When: Sunday, September 8th
Where: next to the stage at the ball field
Time: 10am
Ends: 11:30am
Two Groups: Beginner & Intermediate
Must have: Bike, Helmet, Water

We can always use some extra help so please sign up to volunteer for an hour here. You can see the volunteers instructions here; please check in at the Scenic Byway swag table a few minutes before your shift: 2024 hermitfest volunteer info

Or read more about camping, how to get to Bear Valley and the ballfield, and more about the festival and the Scenic Byway here. One last minute update is that the Forest Service is prohibiting camp fires and bbq/grill fires even in the dispersed camp grounds. Help us keep the forest green!

The 2024 Lineup

Noon – 1 pm Ty & Lainy (Ty McCarthy & Lainy McGreen)
1:15 – 2:45 pm Cantamos
3:00 – 4:30 pm Solid Gold Stranger
5:00 – 6:30 pm Grover Anderson & The Lampoliers

After hours:
Bill Welles
Jam Session – bring your instrument and join in – the location for the jam will be announced at the event!

Sunday Morning:
9:00 am Yoga with Alex Mannos
10:00-Noon Ty & Lainy
10:00-11:30 Bike Ride (details above)

Please do not smoke or use tobacco products within the event boundaries, let’s keep the air fresh for all attendees and minimize the fire risk as an additional benefit. Thank you in advance for your cooperation!

We want to thank the Calaveras County Visitors Bureau, Dignity Health-Mark Twain Medical Center, Bear Valley Mountain Resort, Alpine County Tobacco Free, the Matuszak Family, Alpine County Chamber of Commerce & Bear Valley Business Association for their annual sponsorship of this event as well as all the local organizations, businesses, and individuals whose financial support makes this event possible each year.

Those interested in financially supporting the event may download a Sponsorship Form here. We couldn’t continue to offer this free event without the generous contributions of local businesses, organizations, and individuals, whose donations support the event and the Byway Association year-round.

Those who would like to join us as vendors may download the 2024 Vendor Application right here. We have limited space and are striving for a good mix of vendors who are a good fit for this venue and event, so please send your application with photos for review prior to sending in your check and other documents.