June Lake Jam Fest stays joyful even when it rains

Grateful to be back at the June Lake Jam Fest after missing the last two years.

Photographer’s notebook: I have a remarkable impression of my one-day experience at the June Lake Jam Fest. Every person I spoke with or saw was genuinely kind and happy. I can’t recall every having an experience like this at a festival. Typically, someone gets annoyed at a photographer who moves through a crowd. Not here. People tried to get out of my way. I’d say, “That’s OK, thank you. Don’t worry about me. I am trying to be invisible.”

That’s not to say everything went as expected. A storm hit Gull Lake Park, interrupting the second band’s set. And later, when rain didn’t let up, organizers had to call it a day. Saturday’s headliners Cubensis and Moonalice were moved to Sunday, making for a jam-packed 11-hours of music.

Another observation: Everyone at the festival loves a Grateful Dead song. Provided it’s played well. All the ones I heard were fantastic.

Afterward, festival founder Janet Hunt emailed, “Three years since our last celebration in the park, it was clear to me how much Jam Fest meant to the attendees, the volunteers and the artists. Everyone brought their ‘A ‘game. Everywhere I looked, there were dancing feet, hugs, and knowing smiles, while love and music filled the air. The return of Jam Fest was as special as everyone had hoped. It exceeded expectations.”

Return is a key here. Anyone who goes to a June Lake Jam Fest will want to return the next year. It must be the most-friendly festival on the planet.

-Tim Parsons

To donate to June Lake Loop Performing Arts Association, click the LINK.

Saturday started sunny at June Lake.
A storm hit midway into the second band’s set.
Chuck Harris is the charismatic frontman for Kareeta.
Dead on: The Hempstring Orchestra opens Saturday’s Jam Fest.
Mark Sproat of Carson City wears the most appropriate tie-dye of Jam Fest.
Wright as rain: Randy Wright of Ojai, California, keeps his spot during a rain delay.
Under-cover fans keep on smiling.
Larry Miller reels in another festival. He’s attended all seven Jam Fests.
The sun came back for The Storytellers upbeat set.
Jam Fest’s illustrious leader Janet Hunt.
Aaron Barnes has a shiny guitar and a broken-in ball cap.
Keep on rocking: KRHV-FM’s John DeMarin is in the middle.
Now leaving June Lake. Have a nice day.

ABOUT Tim Parsons

Tim Parsons
Tim Parsons is the editor of Tahoe Onstage who first moved to Lake Tahoe in 1992. Before starting Tahoe Onstage in 2013, he worked for 29 years at newspapers, including the Tahoe Daily Tribune, Eureka Times-Standard and Contra Costa Times. He was the recipient of the 2011 Keeping the Blues Alive award for Journalism.

LEAVE A REPLY

One Response

  1. Hi Tim! Just wanted to stop by to say thank you for taking all the cool pics for the festival! My two besties even made the cover! I’m the one in another picture with the red hair and a wreath dancing, with my back to you with the famous couple once again…lol…just a quick remark…MOST of the time, at Any Grateful Dead Event, people are happy, kind, free spirit and enjoying our music and enjoying our lives! That’s just what we are and just what we do…! (~);}

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