ZMA: Uncle John's Rendevous: Willits, CA (Mendocino)

You will have Fun !!

I went a few years back (whichever year had NRPS).  There is a bar area with very good Beer & Wine, plus nice non-alco beverages.  Plenty of tasty Food,  focusing on Organic & Local goods.  The salads were all wonderful, and there are many  selections for veggies and carnivores.  Bring your own plate, bowl, cup.  I think they had extra silverware.

There's a small pond where you can swim and the showers by the horse barn are A-OK (bring flip-flops).  Overall it's the most laid-back, small and chill Music festival I've ever been.  No hassles of any type.

I've heard numerous reports of how nice it is - and this year's musicians will make a lot of people happy.

I have played this little fest many times over the years and find everything about it to be an experience anyone wound love in every way!  You will have a great time camping and the music is always top notch! Glad to hear you will part of jams this year and have a great time Painted Mado! Expect very good sound support! Expect the best that Uncle John has! This is a special place!

Special indeed. 

I think this might be my 8th DOTC. Sorry to say it will be the last at Uncle Johns.

All that food, beer wine and even pot is covered in the price of admission. 

I left my Nikon on a picnic table for hrs one yr. I never worried that it would not be there when I went to get it. That is the kind of fest this is. Only the best. People, food, music, extras.

That swimming hole is clothing optional.

So you are there with 2 bands then Painted?  Plan on staying all weekend. Too often the musicians leave before experiencing how great this place is.

Not supposed to be over 88 all weekend. It has been much hotter in the past. Will get chilly at night. But mid 50's not bad either.

^

I also spaced my camera by the ping-pong tables one night.  I checked lost & found in the morning, but no camera.  Of course it was still sitting where I left it.  Found a nice Seiko watch in the shower one day and brought it over to L&F.

It does get a bit warm there,  and the Heat combined with strong Beer (they had 'Racer 5' and others) can be a stumbly combination even for a Pro.

I was happy to see a lighter offering on tap (Sierra Summerfest)  during the hottest part of the day. Although double IPA's are delicious,  it's hard to quaff those in 90+ temps without getting a bit sluggish.  If you get there early enough (get there early) the camp spots near the horse-barn & chicken pen have the most shade.

Thanks again to Mr. GFish & friends for setting me up with a tent in their excellent spot.  That was the Coolest !!

Also,  don't forget to check out the 'Museum of Bizarre Objects'  near the backstage area.  It's neat-o.

I'm going!

Treble, I'll make a point of connecting w/ you. Will you be arriving & leaving the day you're playing (Saturday), or will you be able to spend an extra day or more at Uncle John's Camp? I highly recommend taking in as much as you can, as this is a one-of-a-kind event that you'll not soon forget!

It's an all-inclusive mini-festival -- attendees pay one price and all their food, craft beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages, and other consumables are included. The food is all organic and/or sustainably harvested, and it's OUTSTANDING, by far the best food I've ever had at a festival. Attendance is capped at about 175 paid admission, plus another 150+ staff and volunteers and musicians etc. The crowd is the coolest you'll find anywhere and is usually skewed to older 'heads but all ages are well represented as well as families with young children. Add to this an amazing kid's activity zone, face painting, a pond for swimming, competitive ping pong and badminton, late-night cookies and popcorn and sometimes wood-fired pizza, and a campfire scene for the night owls -- all imbedded in an awesome wildland environment with meadows surrounded by forested areas. You gotta experience it to believe it.

This will be the 17th annual -- and the very last -- event of this type to be held on Uncle John's property in the hills NE of Willits.  See ya there!

Budgirl & I will be there for the Saturday Festivities. 

Would never miss "Halden Wofford The Hi-Beams" !!!!!!!!!

Between what y'all say about being there and the people who are attending... I want to be there. (Not coming, but strongly wishing I were.)

We have been to a few of the early ones, DNB use to play  plus the Deadbeats use to close  Sat nights. Now Achilles Wheel with 3 of the Beats in the band are regulars now. I just love that Cosmic Popcorn. 

Halden Wofford and the Hi Beams are great. 

>>competitive ping pong and badminton

Say What???

Thanks Treb, Achilles Wheel sounds great. Billy the mouse is one of my favorite songs. Glad you had fun.

Yeah, it was magical.

Great to meet you and I really enjoyed your band.   

Was very sad today, driving out for the last time.  Many great times there over the yrs. The music is always great there, but in some ways it is secondary to the fest itself. Strange to say for a music fest, but I think it true. It's all about the whole shabang.  Hard to explain to those never there.

And Achiles Wheel  once again blew everybody away.  I was not looking forward to the set with Stu. I thought that he was not needed. And he wasn't, but that was some pretty good shit they laid down.