Olympic Valley, CA – The Village at Squaw Valley is paying tribute to man’s (and woman’s) best friend this month with the Tahoe-area ski resort’s 4th Annual Peaks and Paws Festival on Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25. Dogs and their people can enjoy two stages of live bluegrass, 15 wineries, beer from Lagunitas, pet-themed art, and activities and outings specially designed for furry friends.
The Village will host a line-up of bluegrass acts both days from noon to 6 p.m., and pet-friendly outdoor events will kick off earlier each day. All of the proceeds from the festival will benefit the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe.
Pet-Partner Events
The festival’s pet-partner events will kick off early on Saturday, August 24 with the first ever competitive trail run from Alpine Meadows to Squaw Valley. The Alpine 2 Squaw 10K Challenge is open to runners and walkers, as well as to dogs for those who register in the “Pets and People” category. All proceeds from the race will benefit young athletes through the Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows Foundation as well as the Humane Society of Truckee Tahoe. To sign up, participants can visit www.svamf.org.
Later in the day, Peaks and Paws welcomes the return of Fetch Fest at Cushing Pond, which has been expanded to both days of the festival. Starting at 3 p.m., the Fetch Fest will be a timed ball retrieval contest to see which dog can retrieve the most tennis balls from Cushing Pond before time runs out. Fetch Fest has a $5 entry, with all proceeds benefiting the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe.
People and pets can also join dog-friendly guided hikes at High Camp and explore the unique flora and fauna that lives at elevation 8,200 feet. Hikes are free with a tram ticket or season pass and begin at 12:30 p.m. and at 2:30 p.m. each day, leaving from High Camp.
Live Music
Headlining on Saturday evening at 4 p.m., mandolin maestro, David Grisman, leads his four piece band through his own personal spin in the form of “dawg” music, a unique, highly intricate, harmonically advanced hybrid of so many different stylistic influences (swing, bluegrass, Latin, jazz, gypsy) that he had to invent a name for it.
Closing the festival on Sunday is Tahoe’s favorite high-energy, Americana/roots-infused five-piece band, The Dead Winter Carpenters.
The festival lineup also includes a host of other great roots and bluegrass acts including Paige Anderson & the Fearless Kin, The Brothers Comatose, Low Flying Birds, The Silent Comedy, The Sierra Drifters and Bison. The music complements the perfect setting for sipping wines, sampling craft beers and enjoying the mountain views of Squaw Valley.
Wine and Beer Tasting
Festival goers can also enjoy wine tasting on First Street in The Village from 3-6 p.m. on both Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25, featuring unique wines from 15 different vineyards including Charlyn Zin, White Hart and McIntyre Vineyards.
Music by Lonesome Locomotive, The Sierra Drifters, and Bison will accompany the wine tasting. Wine tasting is $25 per day, and the price includes a festival wine glass, with a $5 discount available with entry donation. Refreshing flavors of Lagunitas beer will also be available for $4 from 2-8 p.m. All proceeds from wine tasting and beer sales benefit the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe.
Saturday, August 24
MAIN STAGE
Paige Anderson & The Fearless Kin (12-2 p.m.)
The Brothers Comatose (2-4 p.m.)
Headliner: David Grisman Bluegrass Experience (4-6 p.m.)
FIRST STREET STAGE
Lonesome Locomotive (12-2pm)
The Sierra Drifters (3-6 p.m.)
FESTIVAL HOURS
Activities, Vendors & Artists (12-6 p.m.)
Wine Tasting (3-6 p.m.) on First Street
Beer Available (12-6 p.m.)
Sunday, August 25
MAIN STAGE
Low Flying Birds (12-2 p.m.)
The Silent Comedy (2-4 p.m.)
Headliner: Dead Winter Carpenters (4-6 p.m.)
FIRST STREET STAGE
Bison (3-6 p.m.)
FESTIVAL HOURS
Activities, Vendors & Artists (11 a.m.-6 p.m.)
Beer Available (2-8 p.m.)
Wine Tasting (3-6 p.m.) on First Street in The Village at Squaw Valley