I’m very sad to report that the CBA Board has made the tough call to cancel the 2021 Father’s Day Festival in Grass Valley. After 44 uninterrupted years – from 1975 through 2019 – it is a huge disappointment to extend our hiatus for a second straight year. Naturally, this means we’re also unable to hold our CBA Music Camp, which typically precedes the Festival at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.
This was tough call, since there finally is some glimmer of light at the end of the COVID pandemic tunnel. But in consulting with public health authorities, performers, and other promoters, we came to the unfortunate conclusion that June 2021 is just a bit too soon to proceed with a risk-free event. First and foremost, the board is concerned about the health of our CBA members, volunteers, fans and musicians. From what we’ve been told, it’s likely that large gatherings will still be limited in this early summer timeframe. We also recognize that many regular attendees may not be comfortable attending if there are too many restrictions regarding masks or social distancing, and a low turn-out could have a devastating impact on CBA’s finances.
Instead, we’re going to focus on the positive. The CBA will be kicking off 2021 with an epic online Jam-A-Thon staring on Friday, January 8th at 5:00pm PST, and continuing for 48-hours straight of amazing music via live webcast. You’ll enjoy California favorites Laurie Lewis, Kathy Kallick and Cryin’ Uncle, along with Front Country, Della Mae, Tina Adair, Deanie Richardson (from Sister Sadie) and many other bands from around the world that we’re not allowed to talk about yet. Mark your calendar now! And tell your friends. This will be a fund-raising event for our CBA online Youth Academy – an important effort to support our next generation of pickers.
But wait – there’s more: The board is also exploring the production of other online events to keep us busy through the winter and spring, and starting to plan for other Festival and in-person concert options as soon as it’s safe – hopefully in the Fall. In the meantime, we’re taking the opportunity of this quiet time to work on brushing up our website, upgrading our member database and investigating more sophisticated programs for fundraising and for serving our community. Our goal is to come out of this pandemic ready to pounce, and to make the 2022 Father’s Day Festival one for the history books.
On behalf of the CBA Board of Directors, Officers and Volunteers we wish you the absolute best for the Holiday Season, and a joyous new year.
– Pete Ludé
CBA Chairman of the Board