The sun is shining brightly, and the snow is beginning to melt. It’s definitely spring and that means festival season is starting to ramp up! This year, why not skip the more obvious events and hit up a one-of-a-kind festival instead? Here’s five bucket list festivals in the High Sierra you should plan on checking out this year.
Calaveras County Frog Jumping
May 16th – 19th 2024
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Become a part of the living legend this May at one of the longest running fairs in California. It’s none other than the internationally beloved Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee. Named for the short story that launched Mark Twain’s career, the Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee commemorates the small town tale of a jumping frog contest. This unique event planted a seed in Mark Twain’s imagination! Resulting in his first successful work of fiction, it kicked off the great legacy we all know and love today.
After 90+ years of annual celebration, this internationally beloved shindig has really got the show in line! In addition to the classic fair fixings, take advantage of the chance to compete in the international jumping frog competition yourself. Expert frog handlers will teach you how to hold and coax well-pampered live bull frogs to help you win a chance at the grand prize of $5,000 for the longest jump. Luckily, these bullfrogs aren’t filled with lead (as Mr. Twain’s story goes) and leap some vast distances. Frog jumping is such a “seriously” silly affair that expert frog jockeys come from around the world with their frogs! A chance to win the grand prize for breaking the current world record set in 1986 can be quite enticing.
This legendary four day event is a blend of entertainment, exhibits, livestock, and arena events, like the derby smash up. You’ll find great food, regional award winning wine tasting, live music, classic Americana fashion, and the signature event, the Frog Jump. This piece of literary and Californian history will have you leaping to return every year on the 3rd weekend of May.
Mule Days
May 22nd – 27th 2024
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It all began on Memorial Day weekend in 1969 as a way to mark the beginning of the packing season. Now transformed into a nearly week-long event, it draws more than 700 mules and riders to compete in equestrian events. 2019 marked the 50th anniversary of celebrating the legacy, diversity, and talents of the good ole American mule. This year’s festivities include a parade and competitions like barrel racing and cow penning. The most unique event of them all is the pack scramble. This wild and unpredictable spectacle is something for those who like to root for the underdog. A true showcase of the small town, big characters that have created the town of Bishop.
Mid-Sierra Loggers Jamboree
July 6th – 7th 2024
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The High Sierra has been an important home to the logging industry, helping build cities like San Francisco. Even back in 1959 when the annual Mid-Sierra Loggers Jamboree started, the lumber industry was still a main employer of the region. Over the years, the region has become a tourism destination but at the same time still embracing of its past heritage. To this day, several recent participants in the Jamboree used to either work at the mill or are still employed in or own businesses with very tangible connections to the forest.
This is your chance to celebrate time-honored traditions as well as a bright tomorrow. Come celebrate the loggers of times past and those passionate about our future forests. Held the first weekend of July in North Fork, it features contests like axe throwing, double hand bucking, choker setting, and hot power sawing. It’s just one of the many events that happen every year in Madera County that honors its past and looks toward the future.
American Century Celebrity Golf Tournament
July 10th – 14th 2024
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The American Century Celebrity Golf Tournament isn’t just your average golf event—it’s a “who’s who” of athletes, both past and present, alongside rising stars destined for greatness. Over five exhilarating days, more than 80 stars from the worlds of sports and entertainment converge on the picturesque lakefront course at Edgewood Tahoe for an unforgettable competition and celebration.
But the excitement doesn’t end there. Lake Tahoe sizzles with summer activities sure to please every taste. Catch electrifying performances by top musical acts at Harvey’s summer concert series. Seek solace amidst nature with a hike to Glen Alpine Falls, where history intertwines with breathtaking scenery. Or embrace the tranquility of an early morning paddle on what many consider the ultimate stand-up paddleboarding destination. The possibilities are endless, offering something for everyone to enjoy.
Concours d’Elegance
August 9th and 10th 2024
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Imagine stepping back in time to the 1930s and 40s, experiencing the charm of Lake Tahoe’s yesteryears firsthand. Look no further than the annual Concours d’Elegance. A showcase of meticulously preserved vintage wooden vessels from the 1920s to the 1960s that take center stage. Hear the rumble of classic engines, take in the sparkle of sunlight on polished brass fittings, and hear the sound of lake water lapping against impeccably maintained mahogany hulls. It’s an experience that truly comes alive in person.
For a comprehensive introduction to these remarkable boats, delve into the event’s rich history dating back to the 17th century, and discover what awaits you at the Concours d’Elegance in the Local Freshies’ guide.
And that’s just the beginning of the summer festivities on Lake Tahoe’s northern shore. From the eagerly anticipated Shakespeare Festival at Sand Harbor to guided tours of the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion, explore Go Tahoe North’s curated list of the best activities to savor before summer bids farewell.
A mountain range so unique and wondrous as the Sierra Nevada calls for originality. From the wild and crazy pack scramble to hot power sawing and even leaping frogs, these 5 bucket list festivals in the High Sierra showcase what makes this region so special.
Author: Alex Silgalis
Alex founded Local Freshies® in 2014 to be the #1 website providing the “local scoop” on where to eat, drink & play in mountain towns throughout North America. When he’s not writing and executing marketing strategies for small businesses & agencies, he’s in search of the deepest snow in the winter and tackiest dirt in the summer.
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