Twenty or so musical acts will take to four stages across Ramona for the Backcountry Music Festival and Farm Truck Barn Dance on Saturday, Nov. 9.
Not only will the event showcase acts from Ramona and across San Diego, but organizers hope it will draw attention to Old Town on Main Street, where restaurants, shops and wineries will be open.
The music genres fall “under the big umbrellas of Americana: country, rock, Zydeco, traditional Irish music, folk, singer/songwriting and more,” said Craig Fischer, Farm Truck lead musician and organizer of the event.
The Music Festival takes place from noon to 5 p.m., with musicians at Pamo Valley Winery, Ramona Family Naturals Market and Smoking Cannon Brewery.
Pamo Valley Winery, at 636 Main St., will host Ashley E. Norton, Thea the Band, Skelpin and The Beard and The Bird.
Dirty Confetti, Sara Petite, Ron Houston and the Berry Pickers, Ypsitucky and the Boyou Brothers will be performing at Ramona Family Naturals Market, 325 6th St.
“There is so much talent here and we want to bring awareness to the area and the places that are hubs for music venues;” said Victoria Bradley, owner of Ramona Family Naturals, which hosts musicians on Thursday nights, during Sunday brunches and one Friday night a week.
“The music is so vibrant and it’s so exciting — the culture is just going to build and grow and I love being part of it,” she said.
Bradley said she is encouraging Ramona residents to see for themselves what the music scene is like, and to get to know the local artists and those from down the hill that will be appearing at the event.
Michael Goodrich, the Sun Valley String Band, Lissa Dee and Astra Kelly will perform at Smoking Cannon Brewery, 780 Main St. The entrance is on 8th Street.
This year marks the third anniversary of Farm Truck’s annual Barn Dance, which will take place at Reds, Whites and Brews, 629 Main St., from 5 to 10 p.m. — following the Back Country Music Festival.
Appearing with Farm Truck will be Lady Psychiatrist Booth, Ass Pocket Whiskey Fellas, Chloe Lou and the Liddells and Lonesome Lowdowns.
“Last year was a sellout with 350 people, and we are hoping for 1,000 this year,” Fischer said.
Those interested are encouraged to check the Farm Truck facebook page or website, www.farmtruckband.com, for updates and complete schedules.
Rusted Poppy, 621 Main St., and Reds, Whites and Brews are hosting a Sip ‘n Shop event in conjunction with Rusted Poppy’s Third Anniversary Birthday Bash as part of the day’s events.
“We will have 30-plus vendors on the side of the building, as well as spread out at the Guy B. Woodward Museum, which will be open,” said Joleen Stokes, owner of The Rusted Poppy.
“Some of the vendors are returning and some are new, and it’s a great time to start holiday shopping,” she said.
There will be raffles, sales, specials in the shop and local food vendors for the event, which will be held during the music fest hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and remaining open for ages 21 and up during the Barn Dance from 5 to 9 p.m.
“It will be a fun day, and a way to the local breweries, wineries, businesses and restaurants located on Old Town Main Street,” Fischer said.
Tickets are $25 and include all four venues. To purchase, visit: [email protected]. Some participating musicians will also have tickets available at their individual shows across town.
