Black Oak Ranch
Fifth Annual Hog Farm & Friends: In Open Celebration
September 19-21, 2025
Join us for an intimate weekend gathering of our extended family and friends—a family-friendly party and fundraiser! Help us raise money to keep Black Oak Ranch thriving. This year, we will continue to raise funds to pay for our new bridge.
Great Music. Light show. Games. Hog Farm history and storytelling. Excursions. Bingo! for prizes with Wavy Gravy. Hog Farm Film Festival. Kids activities. And more! Camping (tent, teepees, car, RV). Delicious, locally sourced meals and nightly happy hour (beer and wine) INCLUDED in the ticket price!
This is a small, intimate event. Tickets are limited so please purchase in advance. We do not have volunteer opportunities for this event. It's a fundraiser and everyone buys a ticket!
About the Hog Farm: The Hog Farm is the longest-running hippie commune in the U.S., known for creating and participating in gatherings that build community and spark joy. Most famously, the Hog Farm ran the free kitchen and played other important roles at the original Woodstock. We also produced Electric on the Eel and the Hog Farm Pignics in the '80s and '90s, and were part of the Grateful Dead family, working closely with the original band.
Payment Plans are available. Please email us at hogfarmfamily@gmail.com to participate.
MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
We will have musical entertainment on Friday and Saturday and fun activities throughout the weekend!
FRIDAY
Moonalice
Moonalice is an exuberant Bay Area ten-piece known for delivering a unique brand of psychedelic soul and rock-tinged Americana. Led by vocalist Lester Chambers, bassist Pete Sears, and guitarist Roger McNamee, also featuring esteemed members Barry Sless (lead guitar and pedal steel), John Molo (drums), Dylan Chambers, and Erika, Rachel, and Chloe Tietjen of acclaimed Americana band the T Sisters. Moonalice has a renegade spirit and an ethos of love, peace, and happiness that permeates everything they do.
Skeleton Crewe Trio
The worlds of Hawaiian slack key guitar, psychedelic pedal steel, and masterful keyboard work converge as three virtuosos of the jam band scene come together. The Skeleton Crewe Trio features Rob Barraco (Dark Star Orchestra, Phil Lesh & Friends, The Dead), Barry Sless (Bobby Weir and Wolf Bros, David Nelson Band, Phil Lesh and Friends), and Grammy-nominated Hawaiian slack key guitarist Stephen Inglis. Each performance offers high level artistry hosting an intimate performance of original compositions, Grateful Dead interpretations, and dynamic improvisations that span genres from traditional Hawaiian to psychedelic Americana.
Beatles Campfire Jam
If there's still gas in the tank, join us for a good old Hog Farm jam at the campfire. Rumor has it The Neverly Brothers will be leading a Beatles campfire sing along!
SATURDAY
Poor Man's Whiskey
Northern California’s outlaw music bards bring a reputation for high-energy live shows and an incomparable fusion of bluegrass/old time, southern rock, and old school jam to stages and festivals worldwide. This “High-Octane Hootenanny” will certainly delight those interested in a foot-stompin' good time. Poor Man’s Whiskey has evolved into a ragged, spontaneous beast pulling from equally deep wells of story-telling originals, expertly crafted covers and zany on-stage shenanigans. In addition to their upbeat original music, Poor Man’s Whiskey will perform their signature, rarely offered "Dark Side of the Moonshine" set! We can't wait to have them back at the Hog Farm!
Grassomoxoa
Grassomoxoa (a clever nod to the 1969 GD album, Aoxomoxoa) is comprised of four folks who are extremely passionate about bluegrass and the Grateful Dead. Riley Hill (guitar), Bud Dillard (mandolin), Isaac Cantor (banjo) and Scotty Brown (bass) are old friends who embody the sort of freewheeling spirit that Jerry himself held dear. Yet they instill the songs with a fresh and vibrant energy. You can count on a magical combination of both traditional string music and progressive jam explorations of the Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia catalogues.
Moonalice (acoustic)
Moonalice will be back on Saturday afternoon! This time with an acoustic set during the happy hour.
_edited.jpg)
Josh Brough & The Contraband
Join Josh Brough & The Contraband for an epic Hog Farm campfire jam on Saturday night after Poor Man's Whiskey!
ACTIVITIES
Nightly happy hour (Friday & Saturday)
Enjoy beer or wine and delicious locally-sourced and lovingly made appetizers while listening to our afternoon music sets before dinner. This is a great way to wind down into the evening and connect with everyone at the event.
Hog Farm Film Festival
Curated by Hog Farmer, Dorje. Stay tuned for this year's theme!
Visit the Labyrinth with Wavy and Jahanara
Join Wavy and Jahanara on a morning walk through our beautiful Labyrinth. Wavy will guide us through a unique meditative experience.
Bingo! for prizes w/ Wavy Gravy
One of the traditions of the Hog Farm is a fun game of Bingo for Prizes! Bingo for Prizes became a staple of the kids room backstage a Grateful Dead shows which was lovingly run by the Hog Farm. Join Wavy for this fun tradition!
Streeter Creek Water Conservation & Resilience Project w/ Bob Barsotti
The Streeter Creek Water Conservation and Resilience Project at Black Oak Ranch is designed to keep water flowing in Streeter Creek and Ten Mile Creek throughout the summer months. Funded by a grant from the California Water Resources Board, the Salmonid Restoration Council is leading this major effort. Key components include a new four-million-gallon irrigation pond for our organic farm and 800,000 gallons of rainwater catchment tanks to supply drinking water for our Streeter Creek summer camp facility.
Join Hog Farmer Bob Barsotti for a guided tour of these new facilities. We’ll visit four newly installed water tanks and the pond construction site. We’ll also explore a streambank restoration project next to the labyrinth, where the Eel River Recovery Group is repairing a collapsing cliff to prevent winter storm damage to the creek.
Both projects support the recovery of salmon populations in our local waterways. The walk will take approximately 45–60 minutes, with uneven terrain and a short, steep uphill section. Please note: not suitable for strollers.
Hog Farm StoryCorps w/ Hidden Mountain
What have you always wondered about the Hog Farm (where are the pigs?). What amazing tale do you have from back in the day? How about WAY back in the day? What exactly did the Hog Farm do at Woodstock? What is the history of the ranch property and how did we end up here? What kinds of other parties and events have we had here and what cool things happened during them? We want to tell stories about the Hog Farm that not necessarily everyone would know (within reason, folks) and that recall how we all met, traveled and settled here at the Ranch. Join us!
Hippie Trivia! w/ Hidden Mountain
Join us for hippie trivia on Sunday morning during brunch! Do you have good trivia questions? Let us know! Or just bring it to the event.
Kidz Zone
Mr. Yoowho
Moshe Cohen, known as Mr. YooWho, brings amazing feats of warm-hearted absurdity to the delight of audiences, young and old, worldwide.
Fire Ecology and Fuels Management
The fire ecology walk will be back this year! Stay tuned for more info.
Make Your Own Organic Flower Bouquet w/ Irene
Spend Sunday morning before brunch with Hog Farmer, Irene Engber, at the U-Pick organic flower patch and commercial organic farm located adjacent to the event venue. Pick your own flowers and create your own mini-boquet to take home! Please bring scissors or garden snips.
Handmade Crafts Fair
We will have a wonderful selection of handmade crafts at our crafts fair on Saturday afternoon. Come support your local artists! Please bring cash as crafters will likely not be able to accept credit cards. If you've purchased a ticket and are interested in participating in the craft fair, please fill out this form to sign up.
Mosaic Art Project w/ Sharon Sharealike
Would you like to help make an enduring sign for the Black Oak Ranch and learn how to make outdoor mosaics? Join Hog Farmer, Sharon Sharealike, for a series of mosaic art sessions over the course of the weekend. You may have seen our previous sign project on the way past the garden when you arrived!
Let's Dance! w/ Natalie Rose (all levels welcome)
Come move, groove, and wake your body up in this casual, feel-good dance and stretch class! We'll do fun, easy-to-follow dance combos and light stretching to help you feel refreshed and energized. Expect great music, good vibes, and a no-pressure space to enjoy movement.
U-Pick Flowers at Irene's Garden
Stop into Irene's Garden and pick up a beautiful bouquet of farm-grown flowers! Bring your own scissors and bucket and peruse many rows of different varieties of flowers to take home. Open all weekend! Water will be provided.
More activities to be announced!
INFO
Bring your own tent/van/RV or camp in one of our beautiful teepees!
Please note: We do not have volunteer ticket trade opportunities at this event as it is a fundraiser and every ticket counts. Everyone buys tickets and contributes a few hours of time during the event. Thank you for your support!
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
No DOGS! (or other pets of any kind)
No FIRES (except in our fire pit)! We are in VERY DRY northern California in the summer and fire danger is VERY HIGH. This means NO candles, lanterns, incense. NO personal cooking with BBQs or stoves except in the designated picnic table area at the main kitchen.
WEATHER While we expect and hope for nice weather, it can rain in late September at the Ranch. We will hold event rain or shine unless we expect heavy rain. If we expect heavy rain, we will postpone the event until next year. In this unlikely event, refunds will be available.
ARRIVAL
-
Weekenders: Plan on arriving any time after 2PM and before 10PM on Friday and departing by 2PM on Sunday. If you arrive after 10PM on Friday, please camp temporarily and check in in the morning.
-
Saturday ONLY: Feel free to come any time on Saturday before 10PM. Please purchase a weekend ticket in order to participate in Sunday brunch or activities on Sunday. Saturday ticket holders are welcome to camp the night of their ticket.
ACCOMMODATION
-
TIPIS are available on a first come first served basis. Tipis sleep 6-10 comfortably so if you are a smaller group and want to be in a tipi you might be paired up with other folks. Tipis have sleeping mats, but bring warm sleeping bags/bedding!
-
CAMPSITES - there are many around the facility, so bring a tent and bedding. Most campsites are shady so you shouldn't need any extra shade.
-
CAR CAMPING - New this year, we will offer car camping in our flat field near the labyrinth which is adjacent to an area we call the "East Bay." This is for folks who would like to camp next to their vehicle. Please let our parking folks know you want to car camp and they will direct you to car camping after you check in. NOTE: the path from car camping to the venue is fairly steep with a few steps so please let us know if you plan to car camp and have any mobility access needs by emailing hogfarmfamily@gmail.com.
-
RVS/Large VEHICLES (21'+) will be parked in our parking lot a short walk from the venue. Please make sure to purchase an RV vehicle pass. There are no hookups available. Please also let us know if you have a mobility access needs and you are sleeping in your vehicle in the RV/Large Vehicle lot.
NOTE: there is absolutely no driving into the facility. All camping is walk-in. We will have a luggage shuttle available to help get your gear in and out. Wagons can also be helpful.
AMENITIES There are hot showers available as well as flush toilets. It is dark at night, so make sure to bring a flashlight!
HOTELS/MOTELS There are a limited number of motels in the town of Laytonville (10 mins from the ranch) and a larger selection in the town of Willits (25 mins from the ranch). There are also some AirBnB's in town.
WHAT TO BRING
-
Clothes for cool and warm weather (it can be warm during the day and get VERY cold at night this time of year, make sure to come prepared!)
-
WARM sleeping gear if you are camping
-
Insect repellent
-
Reef safe sunscreen & a hat
-
Refillable water bottle
-
Flashlight
-
Good shoes for walking
-
Towel & toiletries
-
Camp chairs to use around the camp fire or at your camp.
-
Rain wear (while we will cancel the event if we expect lots of rain, we may get light rain that time of year so please come prepared!)
-
Cash to purchase merch and spend at the craft fair (we won't be able accept cards).
-
Photo ID
-
Costumes for fun!
FOOD & DRINKS We will provide the following meals:
-
Friday dinner
-
Saturday breakfast
-
Saturday lunch
-
Saturday dinner
-
Sunday brunch
All meals are lovingly prepared by our amazing cooks!e will have plenty of vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options. We have a wonderful organic farm (Irene's Garden) on the Ranch and we will source as much of our ingredients from the farm and other local sources as we can at that time of year. If you plan to shop on your way to the event, the newly re-opened Laytonville Long Valley Market is open and we love to support our local store! However, you may want stop in Willits or elsewhere if you're looking for some thing specific. Please plan to store any personal food in your vehicle to avoid critters making unwanted visits to your tent or tipi.
There is plenty of drinking water throughout the facility. All meals will have non-alcoholic beverages provided. We will provide a daily happy hour (around 4:20PM Friday & Saturday evenings before dinner) and limited beer & wine during our nighttime activities. Feel free to bring anything else you might want to consume but keep in mind this is a small, family friendly gathering and we aim to maintain a relaxed atmosphere. We ask you to be responsible and respect the vibe of the event!
Getting Here
NOTE this event is held at Streeter Creek Facility where we normally host Camp Winnarainbow and NOT at our main festival venue.
From the Bay Area: Take Hwy. 101 north 150 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge to Laytonville. Black Oak Ranch is 5 miles north of Laytonville on the west side of the highway. Look for the signs on the left. Note: we are just north of the Ten Mile Creek Revival and former Kate Wolf Festival entrance.
From the Sacramento Area: Take Hwy. 5 north to Williams, turn on Hwy. 20 West, follow all the way to Hwy. 101 North–go approximately 40 miles north to Laytonville. Black Oak Ranch is 5 miles north of Laytonville. Note: we are just north of the Ten Mile Creek Revival and former Kate Wolf Festival entrance.
From the North Coast/Oregon: Take Hwy. 101 south. The site is approximately 100 miles south of Eureka, 45 miles south of Garberville. As you get close begin to look at the mile marker signs at the side of the road. Black Oak Ranch is at mile marker 74.54. Signs will be on the west side of the road, as will the entrance. Note: we are just north of the the Ten Mile Creek Revival and former Kate Wolf Festival entrance.
About 3 hours north of San Francisco, 2 hours north of Sebastopol, and 2 hours south of Eureka.
Photo Gallery
