Date: June 26, 2025
Labor Day weekend in the High Sierra! Americana music in the High Sierra! Put it all together and you have the annual Plumas Homegrown Americana Festival in Quincy, California!
Every Labor Day weekend, Plumas County hosts the Plumas Homegrown Americana Festival in the county seat of Quincy. Located midway between Reno, Nevada and Chico, California at the top of the Feather River Canyon, the Plumas County Fairgrounds brings people from around the country to partake of an amazing array of musicians and performers. It all started in 2017 and more and more people are discovering this gem of a festival. Comfortable camping on grass, shaded by trees, creates the perfect environment for jammin’ and pickin’. Besides the top-flight musical groups, a good ol’ fashioned square dance gathering takes place at the same time. Even if you aren’t a square dancer, it’s hard to resist watching the colorful outfits swirl around the wood floor in the Tulsa St. Elmo Scott Pavilion. Take a peek and maybe give it a try if you want. Friendly dancers are glad to introduce newbies to the art.
It all kicks off with a free Open Mic Night on Friday, August 29. Come watch locals and even some of the festival performers take the stage to show off what they have. You can pay for a delicious spaghetti dinner prepared by Chef Mike as long as the spaghetti lasts!
The festival proper begins on Saturday, August 30 at 1pm when Wheatstone Bridge gets things going. Wheatstone Bridge is an eclectic, acoustic band with roots in folk, Americana, Celtic, and bluegrass traditions. They play original music, and hail from beautiful Reno, Nevada. Their original music features gorgeous, intertwining harmonies, haunting melodies and an ever-evolving dance of folk players on instruments.
Next up is the official house band of the Plumas Homegrown Americana Festival; the Wildcat Mountain Ramblers. This high energy group of Bay Area musicians have shown their versatility and musicianship at every one of these Quincy festivals. Besides performing at 2:30pm on Saturday, they lead the Gospel service in Old Town on Sunday morning at 10am and also make an appearance in the Square Dance Hall where dancers thrill to the live music.
Rubicon Gold is a Truckee based Bluegrass band that brings a fresh and lively energy to the traditional sounds of the genre. Mining inspiration from Bluegrass standards, contemporary and classic Americana and even reimagined popular hits, Rubicon Gold infuses their music with a modern flair, creating a unique and dynamic sound that captures the mountain life of Tahoe. Enjoy them at 4pm.
The evening’s main event starts around 6:30 with the wildly popular Sourdough Slim and Robert Armstrong. Hold on to your seat and get ready for a rollicking evening of outrageous humor and song. A marvel of musical ingenuity, yodeling cowboy songster Sourdough Slim and string instrument wizard Robert Armstrong joyously rekindle the country blues, vintage jazz, cowboy classics and string band repertoire of pre-WWII America. Whether capturing the haunting refrain of a Jimmie Rodgers blue yodel or swinging out a hot novelty number, everyone gets caught up in the fun these two cut-ups have on stage. This is a fast-paced performance of music and comedy that showcases this duo's seasoned gift for connecting with their audiences. All dished up with a hearty dose of vaudevillian stagecraft making for a delightfully entertaining experience.
But don’t stop there! Bring on the Heifer Belles from the Grass Valley area. The Heifer Belles began as friends getting together for casual picking and singing. The result, a blend of back porch Americana took them out of the living room and into the world to perform. The group’s songs range from tongue-in-cheek to heartfelt to socially insightful. Juliet Gobert, song writer and lead singer, plays guitar alongside bassist Toni Valenta (Belly Love) who brings harmony vocals. Nici Van Kreidt is a highly sought-after violin teacher whose influences range from classical to Grateful Dead to Gypsy jazz.
Top off the first day of the festival with Mission Hill who create contemporary acoustic music mixed with liberal doses of classic country and bluegrass styles. Mission Hill's original music seems familiar, remaining approachable and fun even when it sometimes delves into the dark and ambiguous. The band will feature tunes from its 2024 full length album "So It Goes", containing 12 original songs featuring multiple guest soloists along with the core band. Hailing from San Francisco's Mission district they have been playing in the Bay Area for over 15 years.
Head back to your campsite or motel room and rest up for Sunday, August 31. It starts at 10am with a Gospel service put on by the Wildcat Mountain Ramblers on the Old Town Stage. Fit in some breakfast and head back to the Main Stage for the SugarPine Bluegrass Band at 12:30. SugarPine Bluegrass of Northern Nevada plays Bluegrass in their own unique style with all acoustic instruments.
The SugarPine Bluegrass performs as a duo, trio or full quartet. The band members include Bill Mckean—Guitar/vocals—a longtime veteran of the Reno Music Scene. Joseph Martini—Banjo/vocals-- also a longtime veteran of the Reno Music Scene. Michael Madan—Mandolin/vocals, Linda Madan—Acoustic Upright Bass— Mike and Linda moved to Reno in 2011 from the east coast bringing with them decades of musical experience. Linda was a founding member of Sweet Dixie in the early 80’s one of the first all-female Bluegrass bands.
At 2pm you will find The Old 395 ready to go. The Old 395 stitch together American folk and roots traditions to create a sound at once familiar and all their own. Inspired by artists like Bob Dylan, The Band, and Guy Clark, The Old 395 brings both joy and depth to the stage. Whether you want to sit back and listen or get up and dance, The Old 395 has got something for you.
The Plumas Homegrown Americana Festival is thrilled to have Poi Roger return to Quincy after last year’s amazing performance. Somewhere in-between the tropical lounges of 1930s Los Angeles and the honky tonk beer joints of rural 1950s California, you'll find Poi Rogers. Hailing from Santa Cruz, CA, the duo performs original and vintage country & western swing, Hawaiian steel guitar ballads and cowboy tunes.
Gerard Egan and Carolyn Sills won a 2024 Ameripolitan Award in Austin, TX, for Western Swing Group of the Year with their other group, The Carolyn Sills Combo. They are both inductees into the Sacramento Western Swing Hall of Fame, and Carolyn was named the Academy of Western Artists’ 2021 Western Swing Female Vocalist of the Year. They have released four albums and one doughnut to date with The Combo. Poi Rogers features Gerard doubling on acoustic guitar and his 1954 Fender triple neck steel guitar with Carolyn on standup bass, their timeless harmonies anchoring the show.
And finally, to wrap up the 2025 Festival, expect an incredible performance by the Newport Nightingales. This trio of beautiful and talented ladies performed at the 2019 Plumas Homegrown Americana Festival and dazzled the evening crowd with spot-on renditions of 1940’s swing tunes. They are backed up by a band that will make you think Glenn Miller has returned to the High Sierra! After this performance, you will feel like you have experienced something special.
While all this is going on, there is a full schedule of square dancing in the Tulsa Scott Pavilion. Top callers and cuers from the West Coast guide dozens of skilled, and un-skilled dancers as they twirl and step to the music. Admission to either the music festival or the square dancing is good to participate in the other. If you’re not a dancer, it’s worth it to spend a little time watching this truly American activity.
Back again this year is Barky’s Stage with an eclectic schedule of everything from rock to hip-hop. A great place to jam or take in a workshop, Barky’s features local artists and is the perfect place to sit on the grass in the shade and chill.
Tickets are cheap at $60 for either the festival or square dance event. Tent or RV camping is also a bargain. Check out prices, schedules and purchase tickets and camping at www.plumasamericana.com.
Date: June 26, 2025
Labor Day weekend in the High Sierra! Americana music in the High Sierra! Put it all together and you have the annual Plumas Homegrown Americana Festival in Quincy, California!
Every Labor Day weekend, Plumas County hosts the Plumas Homegrown Americana Festival in the county seat of Quincy. Located midway between Reno, Nevada and Chico, California at the top of the Feather River Canyon, the Plumas County Fairgrounds brings people from around the country to partake of an amazing array of musicians and performers. It all started in 2017 and more and more people are discovering this gem of a festival. Comfortable camping on grass, shaded by trees, creates the perfect environment for jammin’ and pickin’. Besides the top-flight musical groups, a good ol’ fashioned square dance gathering takes place at the same time. Even if you aren’t a square dancer, it’s hard to resist watching the colorful outfits swirl around the wood floor in the Tulsa St. Elmo Scott Pavilion. Take a peek and maybe give it a try if you want. Friendly dancers are glad to introduce newbies to the art.
It all kicks off with a free Open Mic Night on Friday, August 29. Come watch locals and even some of the festival performers take the stage to show off what they have. You can pay for a delicious spaghetti dinner prepared by Chef Mike as long as the spaghetti lasts!
The festival proper begins on Saturday, August 30 at 1pm when Wheatstone Bridge gets things going. Wheatstone Bridge is an eclectic, acoustic band with roots in folk, Americana, Celtic, and bluegrass traditions. They play original music, and hail from beautiful Reno, Nevada. Their original music features gorgeous, intertwining harmonies, haunting melodies and an ever-evolving dance of folk players on instruments.
Next up is the official house band of the Plumas Homegrown Americana Festival; the Wildcat Mountain Ramblers. This high energy group of Bay Area musicians have shown their versatility and musicianship at every one of these Quincy festivals. Besides performing at 2:30pm on Saturday, they lead the Gospel service in Old Town on Sunday morning at 10am and also make an appearance in the Square Dance Hall where dancers thrill to the live music.
Rubicon Gold is a Truckee based Bluegrass band that brings a fresh and lively energy to the traditional sounds of the genre. Mining inspiration from Bluegrass standards, contemporary and classic Americana and even reimagined popular hits, Rubicon Gold infuses their music with a modern flair, creating a unique and dynamic sound that captures the mountain life of Tahoe. Enjoy them at 4pm.
The evening’s main event starts around 6:30 with the wildly popular Sourdough Slim and Robert Armstrong. Hold on to your seat and get ready for a rollicking evening of outrageous humor and song. A marvel of musical ingenuity, yodeling cowboy songster Sourdough Slim and string instrument wizard Robert Armstrong joyously rekindle the country blues, vintage jazz, cowboy classics and string band repertoire of pre-WWII America. Whether capturing the haunting refrain of a Jimmie Rodgers blue yodel or swinging out a hot novelty number, everyone gets caught up in the fun these two cut-ups have on stage. This is a fast-paced performance of music and comedy that showcases this duo's seasoned gift for connecting with their audiences. All dished up with a hearty dose of vaudevillian stagecraft making for a delightfully entertaining experience.
But don’t stop there! Bring on the Heifer Belles from the Grass Valley area. The Heifer Belles began as friends getting together for casual picking and singing. The result, a blend of back porch Americana took them out of the living room and into the world to perform. The group’s songs range from tongue-in-cheek to heartfelt to socially insightful. Juliet Gobert, song writer and lead singer, plays guitar alongside bassist Toni Valenta (Belly Love) who brings harmony vocals. Nici Van Kreidt is a highly sought-after violin teacher whose influences range from classical to Grateful Dead to Gypsy jazz.
Top off the first day of the festival with Mission Hill who create contemporary acoustic music mixed with liberal doses of classic country and bluegrass styles. Mission Hill's original music seems familiar, remaining approachable and fun even when it sometimes delves into the dark and ambiguous. The band will feature tunes from its 2024 full length album "So It Goes", containing 12 original songs featuring multiple guest soloists along with the core band. Hailing from San Francisco's Mission district they have been playing in the Bay Area for over 15 years.
Head back to your campsite or motel room and rest up for Sunday, August 31. It starts at 10am with a Gospel service put on by the Wildcat Mountain Ramblers on the Old Town Stage. Fit in some breakfast and head back to the Main Stage for the SugarPine Bluegrass Band at 12:30. SugarPine Bluegrass of Northern Nevada plays Bluegrass in their own unique style with all acoustic instruments.
The SugarPine Bluegrass performs as a duo, trio or full quartet. The band members include Bill Mckean—Guitar/vocals—a longtime veteran of the Reno Music Scene. Joseph Martini—Banjo/vocals-- also a longtime veteran of the Reno Music Scene. Michael Madan—Mandolin/vocals, Linda Madan—Acoustic Upright Bass— Mike and Linda moved to Reno in 2011 from the east coast bringing with them decades of musical experience. Linda was a founding member of Sweet Dixie in the early 80’s one of the first all-female Bluegrass bands.
At 2pm you will find The Old 395 ready to go. The Old 395 stitch together American folk and roots traditions to create a sound at once familiar and all their own. Inspired by artists like Bob Dylan, The Band, and Guy Clark, The Old 395 brings both joy and depth to the stage. Whether you want to sit back and listen or get up and dance, The Old 395 has got something for you.
The Plumas Homegrown Americana Festival is thrilled to have Poi Roger return to Quincy after last year’s amazing performance. Somewhere in-between the tropical lounges of 1930s Los Angeles and the honky tonk beer joints of rural 1950s California, you'll find Poi Rogers. Hailing from Santa Cruz, CA, the duo performs original and vintage country & western swing, Hawaiian steel guitar ballads and cowboy tunes.
Gerard Egan and Carolyn Sills won a 2024 Ameripolitan Award in Austin, TX, for Western Swing Group of the Year with their other group, The Carolyn Sills Combo. They are both inductees into the Sacramento Western Swing Hall of Fame, and Carolyn was named the Academy of Western Artists’ 2021 Western Swing Female Vocalist of the Year. They have released four albums and one doughnut to date with The Combo. Poi Rogers features Gerard doubling on acoustic guitar and his 1954 Fender triple neck steel guitar with Carolyn on standup bass, their timeless harmonies anchoring the show.
And finally, to wrap up the 2025 Festival, expect an incredible performance by the Newport Nightingales. This trio of beautiful and talented ladies performed at the 2019 Plumas Homegrown Americana Festival and dazzled the evening crowd with spot-on renditions of 1940’s swing tunes. They are backed up by a band that will make you think Glenn Miller has returned to the High Sierra! After this performance, you will feel like you have experienced something special.
While all this is going on, there is a full schedule of square dancing in the Tulsa Scott Pavilion. Top callers and cuers from the West Coast guide dozens of skilled, and un-skilled dancers as they twirl and step to the music. Admission to either the music festival or the square dancing is good to participate in the other. If you’re not a dancer, it’s worth it to spend a little time watching this truly American activity.
Back again this year is Barky’s Stage with an eclectic schedule of everything from rock to hip-hop. A great place to jam or take in a workshop, Barky’s features local artists and is the perfect place to sit on the grass in the shade and chill.
Tickets are cheap at $60 for either the festival or square dance event. Tent or RV camping is also a bargain. Check out prices, schedules and purchase tickets and camping at www.plumasamericana.com.
