by Craig Eddy
Once again it's Fair time in La Honda. The crown jewel of La Honda annual events, the La Honda Country Fair and Music Festival, is coming up June 12th and 13th in the La Honda Gardens. This event has been going on in some form or another for close to 40 years. It is still a local minded event but has evolved and grown over the years. Paula Dennis the festival coordinator says "To me, the La Honda Fair is pretty much an institution. It has grown into an event that not only local people come to, but people from the greater Bay Area have discovered it. As an organizer, I love getting all the different people in the community involved."
The original event was known as La Honda Days. Local Charlie Natske was one of the earliest involved in putting on the event. "I was first involved with The La Honda Fair in the late 70's, playing in the Mindigo String Band with Jerry Logan, Michelle LeCompte & Dave Hennigh. Since we had a PA, I ended up doing sound. In those days the fair was at the church across Hwy 84 from the post office. Seems like we did that for a few years."
In the early 90's Paula Dennis and Nancy Hewitt got together with Pam McReynolds, and Gwen O'Neil and formed the La Honda Merchant Association, got the La Honda Elemetary School Foundation interested and with both organizations sponsoring the festival they were able to get the owner of the La Honda Gardens, Charlie Catania, to allow the festival to move to its present location.
Early on there was a parade with Harry Moore and the Landing Party playing from the back of a flatbed truck. However due to regulations concerning the state highway, the parade had to be nixed. The focus way back then was music but once the Merchant Association got involved it made perfect sense to have booths selling art, clothing, jewelry, etc. Profits from the fair have been donated to the La Honda Elementary School art and music programs.
The list of bands that have donated their time is quite long and it must be noted that none of the bands have ever been paid to play. They always are happy to play for the cause. One year the Glide Memorial Choir played as the owner of the cafe in town was a member. The quality of the music has always been exceptional due in part to the people that have done the sound over the years. Twisting those knobs were Charlie Natzke, John Redbeard, Will Mitchell, Perry Thorwaldson, "Bo" Putnam, and Reid Dennis. Booking the bands has been done by Nancy Hewitt, Nigel Webb, Craig Eddy and currently Jeff Ring. There are several bands playing the fair for the first time this year.
This year's event kicks off at Sullivan's Cafe with a Friday night outdoor dance party. Sully's will be hosting a Saturday patio party also after the festival shuts down for the evening. Check www.sullivanslahonda.com for Friday night's band and Saturday will be local favorites Lighthouse. The Fair music schedule and other information can be found at www.la-honda-fair.com
Also this year the new La Honda market will be celebrating their grand opening the weekend of the fair. Be sure to check out the excellent deli.
The La Honda Fair is a great chance to enjoy the beauty of the La Honda Gardens, socialize with friends and neighbors, support the local school, artists, and musicians. Plan to be there for the weekend and you are bound to have a great time. See ya there!!
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