Celebrate the Hoedown
In 2013, we came together to re-invent the music festival, inspire land stewardship and support Johnsville Historic Ski Bowl. What started as just an idea turned into a movement and community that worked together to accomplish our mission year after year. For now, this page is here to celebrate and reflect on all we accomplished. However we are always working on and open to new Hoedown re-incarnations, and look forward to sharing our next Hoedown event with you all!
We are so grateful to have shared so many magical experiences! Every attendee, volunteer and artist contributed to building and shaping a one-of-a-kind event, thank you!
Thanks to The Plumas Ski Club and it’s outstanding crew of longboard fanatics for working hard to keep the dream alive at Johnsville Ski Bowl. We’ll see you at the races!
Thanks Sierra Nevada University (formerly SNC) and its staff and faculty who embraced the idea and provided support and resources.
We hold gratitude for California State Parks and all the rangers we worked alongside to host a safe and responsible event each year.
The Hoedown has been a pure labor of love. We cherish the support we’ve received from the local community, as well as new visitors to the Lost Sierra who became stewards and advocates for the land. Thank you to all! With everyone’s help, we really proved that Ralph Waldo Emerson was correct when he said,
”There are no limits to what can be accomplished if it doesn’t matter who gets the credit.”
In the meantime, this community isn’t going anywhere, and we’ve got plans to let the music back in again. Please scroll down for a chance to share your favorite Hoedown moments and stay connected for future magic.
Thank You,
Drew Fisher & Azariah Reynolds
Lost Sierra Hoedown Co-founders
Check out some highlights from the Lost Sierra Hoeodown 2013-2019.
Camping
We pioneered a campground to accommodate over 500 people at Johnsville Ski Bowl, Complete with walking paths, emergency vehicle access, clean drinking water, 24hr first aid, restrooms, fire crew, community kitchen, camp host, recycling center, outdoor classroom, yoga rooms, five stages, and countless jam spots. We operated our campground for 26 days and nights since 2013 without a single arrest or noise complaint. We created an inclusive space to build community while celebrating art and adventure. Most importantly, we never left a trace .
Music
Since 2013, we hosted over 220 scheduled sets of live music and countless hours of unscripted musical collaborations. At most times, there were more artists in the crowd than on stage, occasionally getting crowd surfed to the stage to sing a verse or play a violin solo.
Simple Livin’
We never brought a single use cup on-site. Instead, we gave every attendee, volunteer, artist and guest a reusable cup each year. Based on beverage sales, number of attendees and days of hoedown… we eliminated over 100,000 single use plastic cups from the waste stream. And that’s just at the Hoedown, we know ya’ll keep rocking those cups in everyday life, keep it going! Say no to single use!
Fundraising
Since 2013, LSH worked alongside Plumas Ski Club to raise over $70,000 to put toward maintaining and improving the ski hill. Funds were used to install a new 40Kw Eco-Friendly Generator and re-wiring of the entire lodge with rodent proof wiring. Additionally, the bathrooms were updated with all new toilets and plumbing to ensure continued operation. Other projects completed include mastication of the Longboard Run several as well as fixing and maintaining the groomer..
Service Hours
We logged over 1000 service hours on-site at Johnsville Ski Bowl with several dozen volunteers. We are so grateful to the friends who came out to spread wood chips, reduce fire danger and eliminate hazards. We spread over 50 yards of woodchips by hand since 2013. Woodchips made a safer place to play and camp, reduced erosion, encouraged native plant growth and provided a better ski surface for low snow conditions during the winter!
L
ove
At least three couples got engaged at Lost Sierra and at least two babies were conceived. Best friends were made, families spent quality time together, the Hoedown is all about the love.
