For one weekend each spring, the towering redwoods of Roaring Camp Railroad transform into something more than a concert venue. They become the nexus of connection in the San Lorenzo Valley.
The Redwood Mountain Faire returns May 30-31 at Roaring Camp Railroads, bringing two days of live music, art, food and community celebration to the mountains from 11am-8pm each day. Gates open at 10:30am, with beverages flowing and music beginning at 11.
But longtime attendees say the Faire’s magic has never been just about the music.
“The Redwood Mountain Faire is really about community,” organizer Traci-Lin Buntz said. “Every volunteer, nonprofit partner and attendee plays a role in strengthening our community.”
Entirely volunteer-run, the Faire has become one of the region’s most beloved traditions—not simply because of its eclectic lineup or festive atmosphere, but because every ticket sold helps fund local organizations across the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Since returning in 2010, the Faire has raised more than $600,000 for nonprofits, schools and service groups throughout the region. This year alone, proceeds will benefit 19 local organizations, including the Ben Lomond Village Alliance, Boulder Creek Recreation and Park Foundation, Boulder Creek Elementary Parents Club, SLV Charter School Booster Club, Mountain Community Resources, Mountain Community Theatre and Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center.
The model is uniquely collaborative: nonprofits provide volunteers to help run the event, and in return, they receive a share of the proceeds to reinvest into youth programs, arts education, parks, recreation and community services.
“What makes the Faire truly special is the people behind it,” organizers said.
Hallie Greene has been a part of the Redwood Mountain Faire since 2011 and now serves as the faire director.
“As director of the Redwood Mountain Faire, one of the greatest joys is seeing this community come together year after year with so much heart and generosity,” Greene said. “The Faire is built almost entirely through volunteer energy and a shared belief in supporting our local nonprofits that benefit schools and community programs. Watching people connect through music, art and service reminds me why this event continues to mean so much to the San Lorenzo Valley.”
Buntz has been on the steering committee for the Redwood Mountain Faire since 2017. She was first introduced to the Faire when she volunteered for her child’s school and worked in the ticket booth.
“Volunteering for the Redwood Mountain Faire has given me such a deep sense of joy and connection,” Buntz said. “There’s something really special about watching neighbors, families, artists and musicians come together to create a weekend that feels welcoming, creative and genuinely community-driven and you couldn’t have a more beautiful setting than Roaring Camp. Being part of that spirit reminds me how powerful local traditions can be in bringing people together.”
That spirit of cooperation can be felt everywhere during the event—from parents pouring drinks at the beverage booths to students helping backstage, artists selling handmade goods, and neighbors reconnecting under the redwoods.
Of course, the music remains a major draw.
This year’s Faire features 27 local and regional acts performing across three stages, with a lineup that spans blues, funk, Americana, soul and Latin rhythms. Headliners include Melvin Seals with Matt Hartle and the Hartle Gold Band, Tommy Castro and the Painkillers, AJ Lee and Blue Summit, B Side Players, SambaDa, The Inciters and James Durbin, along with dozens of other performers who reflect the region’s diverse musical roots.
For many families, the Faire transforms from an annual festival into a reunion. Children dance barefoot in the grass while parents spread blankets beneath the trees. Friends who haven’t seen each other in months reconnect between sets.
Volunteers who started helping years ago return each spring because the event feels personal; a reflection of the mountain communities themselves.
“At its heart, the Redwood Mountain Faire is a celebration of connection, creativity and generosity,” Buntz said. “It proves that when people come together, they can create something that uplifts and sustains an entire region.”
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit redwoodmountainfaire.com.
