High Sierra is passionate about family and we want to make the festival experience memorable for all ages. We invite children and big kids alike to enjoy and participate in a myriad of engaging activities and performances taking place all weekend long.
2019 Activities
The below is a good idea of what we offer families each year, but be sure to check back for 2020 plans!
Family Camp
We try to create a quieter and more kid-friendly environment in the eastern end of the Shady Grove campground (quieter late at night, louder early in the morning). If you’re interested in camping in Family Camp, let your shuttle driver or parking attendant know and you’ll be pointed in the right direction. An on-site vehicle pass is required to park in Family Camp. Visit Camping and Parking for more information.
Rockin’ Nannies
The Rockin’ Nannies are a group of highly qualified educators, professionals, and child-care providers who are back for their 9th year to offer services at High Sierra. They will be hosting a Rockin’ Slumber party from 8:00pm–4:00am in the Tulsa E. Scott building each night and will supply activities, snacks and TLC in a safe, fun environment while moms and dads enjoy some “grown up” time. Rates are $20 per hour for potty trained children and $10 per hour for each additional sibling. Reservations, while available, can be made at the Rockin’ Nannies booth across from The Family Village.
The Rockin’ Nannies crew will be waiting to say hello at their Meet & Greet, 3:30–5:30pm on Thursday at their booth. This is the best time to register early before they fill up! After that their booth is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:30am–1:00pm to answer questions and take reservations.
Parades
Giant Puppets Save the World is bringing an epic display of interactive parade art, stilt walkers, and puppeteers to 2019 HSMF! Come pick out a silly costume from the Goat Barn an hour before the parade starts or wear your brightest funkiest craziest regalia to help puppeteer a giant silk bird kite, wave a flag, or don a backpack puppet. Coming back this year, we have Samba Stilt Circus from Santa Cruz bringing a ten piece samba drum core to march through the festival grounds. Stop by the Goat Barn during the day to sign up to puppeteer and learn more about the parade art! SIGN UP TO PUPPETEER NOW!
PARADE SCHEDULE & COLOR THEMES
Thursday-Saturday:
Get Ready at 5:30pm, Parade starts at 6pm.
Color Themes:
Thursday – Red, White & Blue
Friday – White, Silver, Pearl
Saturday – Yellow, Gold, Orange, Red
Sunday (KIDS PARADE):
Meet at Family Village at 10:30am, Parade starts at 11:00am. Color Theme: Funky Rainbow
Family Village
Thursday, 4th of July, Short Opening: 2 – 2:15pm Spiral Circle Rainbow Dance in the field, 2 – 4pm Painting Flags in the Art House
Friday – Sunday: 9am – 1pm, 2 – 6pm
High Sierra is passionate about Family and creating a memorable festival experience for all ages. Our Family Village theme for 2019 is the village as the “Rainbow” and the children as the “Pot of Gold.” We invite children and youth of all ages to celebrate their golden nature and talents this year, and to shine on!
Family Breakfast: Friday & Saturday 9 – 10am! Puppets and Pancakes hosted by Bob’s Red Mill, Puppets Save the World and the Family Village Crew.
Pot of Gold Circle: We’ll meet in the Village Field each morning (10:00-10:30am) to celebrate the amazing High Sierra kids – our true pot of gold.
SCHEDULE
There are so many fun things happening in the Family Village. Stop by and check out the FULL SCHEDULE or view our daily schedule and performer bios on your mobile device by visiting 2019highsierrafamilyvillage.sched.com.Log in and create your own custom schedule… there’s so much good stuff going on all day! Easiest to navigate if you choose “GRID” in view.
SPACES
Family Stage
The Family Stage will be in the Mineral Building (same space as the Troubadour Sessions). Each day is packed from 10:30am-6:00pm with Sing-Alongs, Puppet Theater, Juggling, Hip-hop, special guests and more.
FRIDAY
10:30-11:15am Puppet Apron Stories
11:30-12:15pm Little Bears w/ Ryan Hickey & Friends
12:30- 1:00pm Heather Normandale w/ Nature Songs
2-2:30pm Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
2:45-3:30pm Simon Kurth
3:45-4:15pm Heather Normandale’s Puppet Lending Library
4:30-5:15pm Circus Luminescent
5:30-6pm Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
SATURDAY
10:30-11:15am Puppet Apron Stories
11:30-12:15am Circus Luminescent
12:30-1pm Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
2-2:30pm Mystery Guest Space
2:45-3:15pm Heather Normandale’s Puppet Lending Library
3:30-4:15pm Blue Bears w/ Pamela Parker & Friends
4:30-5pm Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
5:20-6pm Circus Luminescent
SUNDAY
10:30-11am Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
11am-12pm High Sierra’s KIDS PARADE
12:15-1pm Super Special Guest
2-2:45pm Bumpity Bumps w/ Laura Ossa, Lebo & Bo Carper
3-4:15pm Family Village Talent Show
4:30-5pm Circus Luminescent
Art House
We have many fun activities in the Art House; come and get creative with us. We start Thursday by painting our own Flags, and we will have the opportunity to fly them in Sunday’s parade. Choose from designs or paint your own. Special Makers-Lab with Mikey Makey’s Magical Musical Mats; we will make individual sound making mats that together will create music. We’ll make our own parade instruments from recycled and natural materials – Drums, Shakers, Rattles and Kazoos – and then we will rehearse how to play them. So much more see FULL Arts House schedule in Family Village under “art house.”
Family Field
Quircus, Quincy’s own homegrown Circus, is returning again this year to host Circus Games from 10am -2pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Giant parachutes, acrobatics, juggling, popcorn and more! In the afternoon 2 – 5pm, we will have Resolute Hoops from Sacramento teach hula-hooping games, routines and tricks! See FULL schedule in Family Village under “Family Field.”
Village Nook
With plenty of pillows, books, board games and etch-a-sketches, you can have some downtime any time of day. The Village Nook is tucked under our tall pines in the center of Family Village. Breastfeeding mothers and overheated kids welcome.
The Workshop Hut
At the Family Village, we are here to play and grow; come learn some new skills with us! Family Yoga each day at 9am. Kids of all ages are invited to a music workshop and jam with Dave Packer, public school teacher and music instructor. Beginning lessons in fiddle, mandolin, and guitar. Meet and learn how to jam with other young musicians. All ages and levels of experience are welcome. Please bring an instrument if you have one. Also, ukulele workshops for beginners to advanced with Mikey. Bring your ukulele and maybe even start a band for the Talent Show! Expect spontaneous workshops too, come and check our daily schedule posted at the Workshop Hut and See Full Workshop Schedule in Family Village under “Hut.”
Feather River Hydration Station
“Beyond Bottled” tasting of Feather River water chilled with baby ice balls. Mixing and serving up the best cold water in California for kids of all ages. Bring your own bottle to refill and let’s save on waste!
Family Village Vending Zone
Cruise the kid-friendly vending area with Body Airbrushing by the Mad Crafters, Hair Braiding with Latoya, face painting and the Island Goddes with other quality vendors to get your great handmade kids clothing and more. Also come see Bob’s Red Mill’s booth giving out great samples and Smokey Bear is back!
The Family Village Talent Show
Many of our Family Village patrons have been practicing all year for the upcoming talent show, and others will spontaneously find their talent just as the show begins with sign-up’s. All talents are welcome, song, dance, humor, perhaps something we have never even thought of as a talent before! Sunday at 3pm on the Family Stage.
PERFORMERS
Family Village is excited this year for some special VIP Grandstand Stage guests. Please check in daily to see announcements.
Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Won a Grammy in 2017 for best children’s album and is 100% the real deal. A 3-person internationally touring, purple-velvet-tuxedo-wearing family funk phenomenon. Combining the positive, primal power of hip hop with the surreal storytelling of science fiction, 23 Skidoo has concocted a potent potion that wows family crowds of all ages.
The Bumpity Bumps
A famous collaborative family band formed at Sunset Co-Op Nursery School in San Francisco, and quickly topping the charts in the Family Village, the Bumpity Bumps always draw a crowd. Come grab your seat early! Rockin’ guitar daddies Lebo (ALO) and Bo Carper (New Monsoon) are joined by the incredible mother/son team of Laura and Shane Ossa. This year there will be even more special guests!
Circus Luminescent
Circus Luminescence is an innovative performance art troupe that specializes in juggling, stilt walking, hula hooping, magic, clowning, aerial dance, and a wild sense of humor. Combining their comedic wit, award-winning technical skill, and state-of-the-art-technology, their shows are great for all ages. They offer knee-slapping vaudeville variety extravaganzas, awe-inspiring fire performances, illuminating L.E.D. glow shows, and ambient performers. Circus Luminescence is a treat for the eyes, ears, and soul.
Pocket Stories with Jennifer Aguirre
The children point to a pocket and through story, verse, and song the puppet comes delightfully to life. Jennifer Aguirre’s gentle puppetry not only engages children but adults as well. Come early to grab a seat up close.
Little Bears playshops with Ryan Hickey & Pamela Parker
Come shake and groove with music that makes you move, featuring singer/guitarist Pamela Parker of Pamela Parker’s Fantastic Machine. They will lead the group in rhythm exercises, call and response, improvisation, and some fun songs you can sing along to with your kids. This workshop is fun for all and provides the Family Village a music party of their own. Bring yourself and your Little Bears out for some fun music and movement!
Quircus
Quircus is Quincy’s community circus consisting of stiltwalkers, dancers, hula-hoopers, acro-balance performers, aerialists, jugglers, dancers, fire spinners, belly dancers, sideshow acts, singers, musicians, and poets. They are entirely made up of volunteers who donate their skills to entertain and embrace every chance to share the magic of circus arts.
Heather Normandale
Heather Normandale has made it her mission to inspire thru music, story and sometimes a whole library of living puppets! She will appear at the Family Stage Friday and be around all weekend with her fabulous Puppet Lending Library.
Toni Tone Mikulka and Cello Joe
Our Family Breakfasts have never been so good as this year with Puppets and Pancakes-the perfect combination! While we pour on the syrup, they will let the Puppets improvise stories, like “Frog in the Well” and “The Goose Who was Not Afraid.” Perfect way to start the day, both Friday and Saturday 9-10am.