There’s people that say that all we ever do around here is complain and whine about things but that just is not true. I just spent a second day at the Peaks & Paws event at Squaw Valley, and it was pretty epic. The Squaw Valley people do know how to arrange a party, and with the help of a ton of volunteers from the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe, everyone was having a good time.
The music selection was right on. Somebody knew exactly what they were doing with that lineup. From the starting bands of Paige Anderson & The Fearless Kin and Lonesome Locomotive, right down to the raging energy of the Dead Winter Carpenters to close the weekend out – it was boot stomping fun.
There were families and kids a plenty, as well as more dogs than just about any event in Tahoe. The dog tolerance level in the village was appreciated, with Fido being welcomed just about anywhere except for the finest eateries. It was a good weekend to be a dog. Most of the vendors were also pretty dog specific – many pups went home with a new toy, collar or leash this weekend.
There were so many volunteers to make all of this work. If you have spent much time at Tahoe events, you would recognize many faces as the people that do every thing. Today we even noted that KSL CEO Andy Wirth was right there selling beer and wine tickets with his wife Karen. It’s not like they were there for just the photo op, they were working just like anyone else. What stood out out in my mind was his name tag: It said nothing more than “Humane Society Volunteer ANDY”. Well done Mr. and Mrs. Wirth.
If you missed all of the greatness of Peaks and Paws, it’s time to get serious about the Lost Sierra Hoedown at Johnsville Ski Bowl on September 20-21. After today’s Dead Winter Carpenters finale heater, I am super stoked for their show at the Hoedown. The LSH supports an equally good cause, the reopening of the Johnsville Ski Bowl. Funds raised from the event will go right to the installation of the old Mainline chair from Squaw Valley at Johnsville. Hope to see you there.
Now, this is the type of event for Squaw Valley. Maybe Andy Wirth will see it and forget all this “talk” about water parks, go cart tracks and, destructive development.
Thanks Mark.
This down to earthness is what makes Squaw what it is. (My friends prefer Aspen, but they drool over my facebook pics of Squaw. Real, Unfiltered and Unpretentious is best.
We caught Brothers Comatose and David Grisman Saturday. While both groups were great, the crowd during David Grisman was deafening–louder than the band unless you were right in front of speakers. And in case you think this is an old fogey complaining about those young whippersnappers you’re only half right–most of the offenders were my fellow boomers. Maybe people don’t respect music they don’t have to pay a lot for, but David Grisman is a living legend and should be respected even if were busking on Commercial Row.
Much thanks to KSL and the Humane Society and all the volunteers.