Sonoma Valley’s ‘Funky Fridays’ to move to Hood Mansion

The Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation, in conjunction with concert organizers Bill Myers and Linda Pavlak, are moving its “Funky Fridays” concert series to the grounds of Hood Mansion for 2016. Hood Mansion is located off Highway 12 at Pythian Road.

“We are pleased to secure this new location for this family-oriented event,” say Myers and Pavlak, who co-founded Funky Fridays in 2013. “We welcome the opportunity to have Funky Fridays continue to benefit the remarkable parks in our community.”

Melissa Kelley, executive director of the Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation, said its great to be involved in the series.

“Funds raised from this concert series will help support our parks, and the concert location also will introduce attendees to the historic landmark of Hood Mansion and the potential for improvements at this site,” said Kelley.

The promoters have announced a lineup of bands to perform during the fourth annual Funky Fridays series.

The 15-week concert series will be held on the mansion's spacious front lawn from 7 to 9 p.m. on Fridays throughout the summer, debuting Friday, May 27. Concert-goers can walk to the venue from nearby neighborhoods or park at one of three parking lots in the Los Guilicos complex. Ticket prices remain $10 per person. Parking will be $10 per vehicle or free for Regional Parks members with a parks pass. The band schedule and more details are available on the event website at funkyfridays.info and on the Sonoma County Parks' website at sonomacountyparks.org.

For the past three summers, Funky Fridays was held at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park and benefited efforts by Team Sugarloaf to support that park. The rapid growth of the fundraiser resulted in the event outgrowing the Sugarloaf venue. Moving forward, event coordinators will continue to support Sugarloaf by working with Team Sugarloaf to explore smaller live music events in the amphitheater.

In 2015, Sonoma County Regional Parks constructed a Bay Area Ridge Trail section at the Pythian Road entrance to Hood Mountain Regional Park & Open Space Preserve. Regional Parks recently completed road improvements connecting this trail to the intersection of Highway 12 and Pythian Road.

The improvements include a road crossing and signal modifications at the Pythian Road and Highway 12 intersection, which will enhance the safety for residents of Oakmont who may walk to the new concert location.

“Many of our attendees live in Oakmont, and this new spot for the concerts offers easier access for them to continue enjoying live music in a beautiful outdoor setting,” Myers said.

Funds raised from the 2016 concerts will support projects related to Hood Mansion, Hood Mountain Regional Park, and other county parks projects in the Sonoma Valley.