61st Tehachapi Mountain Festival® promises a weekend of family fun, community spirit

Get ready for the ultimate celebration of community spirit as the 61st annual Tehachapi Mountain Festival® returns Aug. 17 and 18. This beloved event has been a celebration of summer since the early days of the Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce, and is set to draw thousands of attendees for a weekend packed with entertainment, arts, crafts, delicious food and more.

We're thrilled to host the 61st Tehachapi Mountain Festival®, celebrating our community's heritage and showcasing all the things that make Tehachapi special. It's an event where families and friends reunite to create lasting memories.

The festival grounds will be bustling with excitement featuring more than 100 arts and crafts vendors offering unique and high-quality creations. A dedicated Fun Zone is offered for kids, complete with bounce houses, face painting and treats like cotton candy and ice cream. Foodies will delight in a diverse culinary experience ranging from hometown tri-tip sandwiches to exotic Thai cuisine, alongside refreshing lemonades, old-fashioned sodas and health-conscious options. The Beer Garden, sponsored by P-Dubs, Mountain Bowling and Valley Strong Federal Credit Union, will pour local and classic brews from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., providing a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the festivities.

Music lovers are in for a treat with an expanded lineup of bands, including Metalshop, FLASHBACK, Lazy Dog Mountain Band, Bear Mountain Boys and Blue Mountain Tribe. The weekend will also feature lively activities, such as line dancing on Saturday and heart-pounding performances by the Black Gold Cloggers and Aerial Garden on Sunday.

At the heart of the festival in the central gazebo, you can meet the Chamber of Commerce and purchase exclusive event merchandise from the festival. The artwork for the festival was created by Tehachapi local Jessica Jones, who won the art contest earlier this year. She will be in the gazebo showcasing her artwork inspired by the festival's rich history.

The excitement doesn't stop there. Attend the professional rodeo hosted by the Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association on Aug. 16 and 17 (purchase tickets at the Chamber of Commerce office). There will also be the Mountain Gallop 5K, organized by Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Park District, the morning of Aug. 17. It's followed by a pancake breakfast at the American Legion Post 221 hosted by Christian Life Assembly Church.

The festivities continue with a lively parade on Saturday morning along F Street, where the community comes out in its best spirit. Saturday will conclude with the new "Green Street Get Down" concert that brings more musical talent to Tehachapi alongside local beer. Sunday will begin with a Church Service by Christian Life Assembly in Central Park.

Admission to the Tehachapi Mountain Festival® is free, promising an inclusive and vibrant atmosphere for all. On behalf of Tehachapi, the Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce welcomes you to experience the best of our culture, cuisine and community spirit.

For more information, including a detailed schedule of events and parking information, visit http://www.tehachapimountainfestival.com or follow us on Facebook at Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce.

A special thank you to our Gold Rush Sponsors, The City of Tehachapi, WM, Terra-Gen Operating Company, Tehachapi Cement, P-Dubs and Mountain Bowling; our Silver Mine Sponsors, The Loop newspaper, The Village Collective, Cerro Coso Community College, Alta One Federal Credit Union, Wood Family Funeral Service, The Woods Pavilion, Robinson Welding Supply and Knight Building Systems; our Beer Garden Sponsors, bringing local, domestic and imported beer to the festival, P-Dubs, Mountain Bowling and Valley Strong Federal Credit Union; our Wild Mustang Sponsors, bringing live entertainment to the stage all through the event, Cal Wind and Lil 'Ntertainment; and to our Branding Iron Sponsors, Pearce Renewables, Chicago Title and First American Mortgage Solutions. This event wouldn't be possible without this incredible support!

Clare Scotti is the Executive Director of the Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce.