What’s Happening Along the Byway in September, 2023
Summer is going by so fast! Make plans to enjoy all your favorite late summer and fall events and activities before the snow returns.
Are you hosting an event we should know about? Don’t hesitate to contact us at info@scenic4.org; we’ll happily include it in our monthly posts.
Scroll to the bottom for a list of annual events, links to venue schedules, and more calendars.
Tuesday, September 12th, 2023
Taco Tuesdays at Bistro Espresso in Arnold featuring live music from 6-8 pm
Friday, September 15, 2023
Live Music On The Deck at Sequoia Woods from 7-10 pm
The Last Five Years at the Murphys Creek Theatre – Closing Weekend
Saturday, September 16, 2023
“Market in Markleeville” arts and crafts market operated by Sierra Chef. This vibrant event will be held on September 16, and October 14, 2023, from 10 AM to 4 PM, at the charming Downtown Markleeville on Montgomery Street.
Sierra Stargazing – Join the astronomers for star gazing, astronomy talks, food & drinks, and kid’s games at the Markleeville Airport from 6pm-12am
The Last Five Years at the Murphys Creek Theatre – Closing Weekend
Summer Concert Series at Bistro Espresso in Arnold featuring live music from 6-9 pm
Water Tower at Brice Station for their Hilltop Concert Series.
“I Want My 80’s” Tour – Rick Springfield, The Hooters, John Waite & Tommy Tutone. For ticket sales and information, contact Ticketmaster: ticketmaster.com.
Tuesday, September 19th, 2023
Taco Tuesdays at Bistro Espresso in Arnold featuring live music from 6-8 pm
Saturday-Sunday, September 23rd-24th, 2023
Alpine Watershed Group (AWG) invites you to join us for Creek Day 2023—a morning of watershed restoration projects in Alpine County on Saturday, September 23, starting at 8:30 a.m. at Turtle Rock Park. This year the event is part of Great Sierra River Cleanup, National Public Lands Day, and Washoe Mountain Gathering. Please visit the webpage for more information and to RSVP. While we will not be having a picnic lunch like years past, we are encouraging volunteers to RSVP by filling out AWG’s waiver. We will communicate with volunteers the week prior in regard to receiving a lunch voucher redeemable at Washoe Mountain Gathering and a day pass for federal lands. We will have volunteer projects for trash cleanup, willow planting, building beaver dam analogs, and fuels reduction! If you have a group interested in volunteering together, please let us know.
Alpine County invites you to attend an enchanting weekend filled with cultural festivities at the Washoe Mountain Gathering, taking place at the picturesque Grover Hot Springs on Saturday, September 23rd and Sunday, September 24th. This event promises to be a memorable celebration of our heritage, traditions, and the unity of our community.
Concours d’Elegance at Ironstone Vineyards from 9am to 4 pm on Saturday. The largest antique and classic car show in the region on the beautiful grounds of Ironstone. Some 300+ antique and classic cars participate in the Ironstone Concours d’Elegance each year. This show also features vintage trailers, motorcycles and wooden boats.
Seasons in the Woods – 10th Annual Craft Fair Supporting Local Artisans from 10am-4pm at Independence Hall in White Pines
Sierra Walk for Hope returns to beautiful Calaveras Big Trees State Park!
Summer Concert Series at Bistro Espresso in Arnold with music from 6-9pm on Saturdays.
Saturday, September 29th, 2023
Alpine County Search and Rescue (Alpine SAR) is thrilled to announce its inaugural fundraising golf tournament, scheduled for September 29, 2023. Golf enthusiasts and community members are invited to join us for a day of friendly competition, camaraderie, and philanthropy at the stunning Genoa Lakes Golf Club.
Friday, October 6th, 2023
Live Music On The Deck at Sequoia Woods from 7-10 pm
Saturday, October 7th, 2923
Live Music in the Markleeville Library Park from 4-6 pm featuring Bison – Bluegrass Music and Original Songs with a Local Vibe. Sponsored by Friends of the Library.
Summer Concert Series at Bistro Espresso in Arnold featuring live music from 6-9 pm
Calaveras Grape Stomp & Goldrush Street Faire in Murphys
Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023
Taco Tuesdays at Bistro Espresso in Arnold featuring live music from 6-8 pm 
Saturday, October 14th, 2023
Summer Concert Series at Bistro Espresso in Arnold featuring live music from 6-9 pm
Tuesday, October 10th, 2023
Taco Tuesdays at Bistro Espresso in Arnold featuring live music from 6-8 pm
Saturday, October 14, 2023
“Market in Markleeville” arts and crafts market operated by Sierra Chef. This vibrant event will be held on October 14, 2023, from 10 AM to 4 PM, at the charming Downtown Markleeville on Montgomery Street.
Summer Concert Series at Bistro Espresso in Arnold featuring live music from 6-9 pm
Mark Your Calendars For These Annual Events:
Murphys Homecoming on July 15th in the Community Park. The festivities start at 11am.
Death Ride – Tour of the California Alps Bicycle Ride on July 15th on Ebbetts Pass (Markleeville to Bear Valley) – State Route 4 will be closed above Lake Alpine with no detour route available.
Bear Valley Music Festival from July 21st through August 6th
Calaveras Grape Stomp & Gold Rush Street Faire on the 1st Saturday in October in the Community Park & on Main Street
Murphys Downtown Witch Walk on October 21st (Event on hold until 2025)
Murphys Dia de Los Muertos on the 1st Saturday in November
Murphys Open House on the 1st Friday in December
Murphys Irish Day on the 3rd Saturday in March
Check out concert and event series information at the venue’s websites:
Bear Valley Music Festival – The Bear Valley Music Festival is an annual summer event in the picturesque village of Bear Valley, California, nestled within the Sierra Nevada Mountains, just above 7,200′. This vibrant and diverse music festival brings together renowned artists and ensembles from various genres, including classical, jazz, rock, and pop, for an enriching and entertaining experience. The festival begins on the second-to-last Friday in July and ends three Sundays later. With its stunning natural backdrop, intimate concert setting, and family-friendly atmosphere, the Festival has been a cherished cultural tradition for music enthusiasts and nature lovers since its inception in 1967.
Big Trees State Park – Kids’ activities, hikes, lectures, night sky viewing, and more
Bistro Espresso – live music on the lawn and more
Boyle MacDonald Tasting Room – Friday Night Live Music
Brice Station Vineyards – Hilltop Concert Series, Saturday Night Live Music, and Shakespeare Series’
Calaveras Arts Council Music in the Parks Series – Music in the Parks on Wednesdays from June 15th through August 17th throughout the county.
Camp Connell General Store & Beer Garden – Live Music
Hovey Winery – Live Music, Taco Tuesday, and special events.
Ironstone Amphitheater – Summer Concerts, 4th of July Celebration & More
Jazz Cellars Tasting Room – Live Music, tastings, and more.
Locke Vineyards – Farmhouse Workshops and more.
Lube Room – Live music, food, and fun in Dorrington
Markleeville Library Music in the Park – Monthly live music on the lawn
Milliaire Tasting Room – Live Music, tastings, fashion shows, and more.
Murphys Irish Pub – Live Music and more!
Murphys Watering Hole – Live Music & featured beers
Stevenot Winery – Summer Concert Series
Calaveras Visitors Bureau – the County’s most comprehensive calendar of things to do!
Wildfires are always a concern, and the Adventure Company reminded us to share an awesome app for keeping track of fires in the area: Having an app on your phone, like Watch Duty, can alert you of wildfires and provide updates. It’s up to all of us to be fire safe.
Hiking & biking ideas from our friends at the Bear Valley Adventure Company:
A unique type of cycling adventure on gravel bikes is gaining traction in Bear Valley. Gravel bikes, which look similar to road bikes, but have more robust wheels and bigger tires, allow riders to cover longer distances on unpaved roads. – Check out this example of an advanced-level ride to the top of Calaveras Dome from Bear Valley, with spectacular views of the Mokelumne River and Wilderness. Click here for a map and more info.
Rent an electric bike from BVAC and head for a special adventure on the Spicer Reservoir Road. – Starting at the Bear Valley Adventure Co., ride down Hwy. 4, about 3.5 miles to the Spicer Road turn-off, pass over the Stanislaus River, zip past the entrance to Utica and Union Reservoirs, and coast down to Spicer Reservoir. Plan for a refreshing dip in the water before heading back to Bear Valley. The total ride is about 25 miles roundtrip.
Or check out these two hikes that take you to the Carson Iceberg Wilderness:
Inspiration Point is 3 miles roundtrip, with 650 ft. of elevation gain. Once at the top, the views are breathtaking and a beautiful way to see High Sierra sunrises and sunsets (make sure to pack a headlamp).
Duck Lake is 2.75 miles roundtrip with 340 ft. of elevation gain. This hike crosses paths with old cabins, one you can still look inside and see all the old furniture.
