MENDOCINO COUNTY, CA., 8/9/24 — Kiera Poehlmann, creator of the Inaugural Huckleberry Jam Festival at Heartwood Mendocino, kicked off the event on Friday by thanking “all the artists who have taken a chance to come play on this stage for the first time.”
And with that, in a meadow surrounded by huckleberry bushes, musician Zoe Elkin, accompanied by her mom Ginny, bluegrass legends Gene Parsons, Keeter Stuart and Dan Crary, a rockin’ reggae group and a crowd-pleasing Americana band from Santa Cruz offered up a full day of music in just about the best setting ever.
Heartwood Mendocino is a low-key glamping site set in the redwoods just east Mendocino. For the festival, campers and day visitors gathered for a two-day “down-home celebration of live music, hands-on workshops, and good ol’ fashioned shindig.” The festival was the first ticketed event held at the venue.
Poehlmann, whose parents own the Heartwood property, started the festival as a way to “bring folk and bluegrass music festival vibes” to the site where she grew up.
The event may be new, but the execution was close to flawless. From a just-constructed stage to mango paletas to hearty food and drinks from local vendors, those lucky enough to spend two days (and in some cases, nights) got to experience the fun of a music festival without the crowds or the hassle. Grandparents, toddlers, kids and college students spent most of the time on their feet, seeming to share Poehlmann’s personal vision: “I want to dance barefoot in the meadow with all my friends.”
On Saturday morning, campers and early arrivals had the options of guided forest walks and candlemaking workshops. The afternoon brought more music from local musicians and others from as far away as Ashland, Oregon, including a square-dancing session for a remarkably teachable group. A performance by the Whiskey Family Band once again got everyone dancing in the music meadow. Good Job Honey and Friends wrapped up the late-night show.
Towards the end of Friday’s show, Coffis Brothers band member Kellen Coffis pretty much spoke for everyone when he said: “We’re so happy to be here at the very first, but not the last, Huckleberry Jam.”