Every Summer the Music in the Mountains Festival transforms Big Bear Lake
Hosted at the Big Bear Discovery Center, Music in the Mountains is a series of biweekly concerts put on by the Southern California Mountains Foundation throughout the summer season. Every other Saturday evening, avid music enthusiasts flock to Big Bear Discovery Center’s amphitheater to enjoy the cover songs of tribute bands emulating the sounds of Freddie Mercury, Pat Benatar, and Prince among many other classic hit artists.
This past Sunday saw the conclusion of the concert series on the final day of August. The cover bands that bid the season farewell were an opening tribute to Fleetwood Mac followed by a tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. It speaks to the timelessness of these decades old artists that the event was a complete hit! A sold out show meant that thousands of people had occupied every possible angle at which to view the performing artists.
Beyond the performance itself, guests are accommodated with purchasable goods, food and beverages. A table sits not too far from the stage in which the Southern California Mountains Foundation sells a variety of forest related merchandise. Parents might procure a small stuffed Smokey Bear for their child or commemorate the evening with a T-shirt bearing the symbol for this year’s Music of the Mountains program. Hearty sustenance such as burritos and tacos can be acquired at a nearby food truck while a popcorn tent offering a myriad of different flavored popcorns fulfills the craving to snack as you enjoy the show. Of course, the most popular item for sale during an evening of frivolous entertainment are the many alcoholic drinks for sale ranging from the most sophisticated glass of wine to the mundane can of beer. Water and soft drinks are available for children and those who do not indulge in inebriated affairs.
All the hustle and bustle of food, drink, and merchandise sales is immediately quelled at 6:30pm when the first band makes their way to the stage. As the crowd settles into their seating a hush falls over the atmosphere in mighty anticipation of which song will commence the celebration of Fleetwood Mac’s discography. The opening band only plays for an hour and it is impossible for them to play every single one of Fleetwood Mac’s songs but they choose all the right ones. The crowd sings along to The Chain, Dreams, and Go Your Own Way.
A thirty minute intermission is held following the first band in which more merrymaking is done between friends and family. Lines for the restroom accumulate as concert goers do not want to miss a second of the next band. More food and drink is purchased and before they know it, the concert goers are treated to the tunes of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
The band has the audience completely in their sway from the time they start playing at 8:00pm to their final song at 9:30pm. After a long evening, Stacy Gorrin, the head of the Southern California Mountains Foundation steps out onto the stage. She thanks everyone who has come to witness the show and is very pleased by the turnout. A portion of every ticket and sold item at the event goes toward the Southern California Mountains Foundation: a nonprofit whose goal is the preservation of nature and educating the public on such matters. Stacy hopes to see everyone back again next summer and maybe you could be there too!
