Parkfield Earthquake

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If you read about the California earthquake of September 28, 2004, centered near Parkfield, you may have recognized that as the town where I attend a bluegrass festival each May.

This event increases the population from 18 to somewhere around 1,500 for the weekend. Even so, it's not likely a quake during the festival would cause any great harm. Some of the vendors who have merchandise precariously perched or hung in their booths might suffer minor damage. The trailers and motor homes would shake, but being designed to withstand the vibration of the road, should survive. Things left out on the counter or table might crash to the floor.

The lighting fixtures above the stage would sway, and possibly come down if not mounted tightly.

In fact, the town and the festival promoters have long celebrated the area's "shaky" status. A sign by the restaurant reads "Be here when it happens." The festival was originally described as "the world's most earthshaking bluegrass festival." Signs at a bridge into town announce that one is entering the North American Plate or the Pacific Plate. (Check them out here and here.)

After all, they've been expecting this event since the 1980s.

– Dick Estel , September 2004

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