There’s so much to see and do around Westside and in town nearby. Built as a company town to serve the employees, and their families, of the West Side Flume and Lumber Company, Tuolumne and Westside are like two halves of one whole. Set just a short distance from festival programming, the heart of this quaint community boast of several parks, horseshoe pits, swimming pool, baseball field, Tuolumne City Memorial Museum, and the beautiful and historic Veteran’s Memorial Hall. Tuolumne is uniquely centered around recreation and open public space, with wide, tree lined streets that create a friendly atmosphere for pedestrians. Last year the flea market at Westside Memorial Park and the Soap Box Derby were wildly popular with festival goers and we are told they are both happening again this time! The many beautiful lawns around the Veteran’s Memorial Hall and Westside Memorial Park are a great place to stretch out or play, conveniently located near the swimming pool and the Breakfast Club. Matter of fact, there are three parks within walking distance of the Main Stage. If you’re walking from the festival to town, take a scenic detour through the Depot Trails. This short loop that is dissected by a meandering stream is lined with benches for taking in the shady serenity. Don’t forget to bring your horseshoes, because on the other side of Depot Trails are enough horseshoe pits to handle some serious competition. Check out the Tuolume Park and Recreation Department to see more photos or to their lineup for free music in the park, paired Tuolumne’s open air produce market, on Wednesday evenings. Coyote Hill is playing there, at 6pm, the day before the gates open to the festival. There are lots of historic sights around town, so on Saturday and Sunday during the festival, volunteers will be leading walking tours to the Tuolumne City Memorial Museum. There’s so much more to say about the relationship between Westside and Town and the richly layered history that is evidenced at every turn. We’re going to continue to share these stories and we hope you’ll discover a few on your own.
