Petaluma Music Festival to Raise Money for Local Schools

Get ready for some great bands this Saturday when the Petaluma Musical Festival sets up at the Petaluma fairgrounds.

The event is a benefit for Petaluma school music programs and has donated $75,000 to Petaluma schools since starting six years ago.

Headliners include Australian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Xavier Rudd, The Pimps of Joytime, a funk and groove band, folk singer Sean Hayes, bluegrass string band The Brothers Comatose, alternative rock band Stroke 9, and Nahko and Medicine for the People.

To hear a sampling of some of the music, check out the festival’s YouTube Channel 

Other groups include The Easy Leaves, David Luning, The Incubators, Dgiin, Victoria George, The Grain and Soup Sandwich.

“Our goal is simple: keep music in the schools,” said Cliff Eveland, the festival director.

Despite studies that show a direct link between music programs and academic performance, funding for music programs in California has declined over the past decade, forcing schools to find ever-creative ways to raise money.

Earlier this year, 24 Petaluma schools received $30,000 raised at last year’s concert, according to Eveland.

Besides music, there will be plenty of fun to keep attendees of all ages occupied. That includes a Kids Area with a bouncy house, face painting, arts and crafts and a petting zoo and a Wine & Food Tasting Pavilion for the adults and a chance to win a celebrity autographed guitar.

General admission tickets (on day of) are $35 or $15 for students ages 13-17. VIP tickets are $75 and include shaded reserved seating with complimentary wine, beer, and light appetizers. Children 12 and under are free with a paying adult.

Music starts at 12pm and continues to 8pm. 175 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma. For more information and to purchase a tickets ahead of time, visit www.petalumamusicfestival.org