“Green Street Get Down” a hit at the Tehachapi Mountain Festival | Lifestyle

Key Budge, community engagement director for the city of Tehachapi, watched the situation from the sidewalk Saturday night with a big grin on his face.

Budge was a driving force behind the latest event to add to the fun at the Tehachapi Mountain Festival – the “Green Street Get Down.” The crowd on the street in front of Centennial Plaza danced to upbeat music, making it clear that “Get Down” was indeed a hit.

Inspired by a 1915 street dance held to celebrate the installation of the first electric streetlights in Tehachapi, last year's Green Street Get Down was canceled due to rain.

This year the weather could not have been better: the almost full moon rose in the clear sky and a light breeze ensured the well-being of the dancers.

Many people brought chairs and enjoyed the concert-style music, while others danced the night away on the streets and sidewalks.

The free event was also a perfect cap off Tehachapi High School's 40th class reunion of 1984. That reunion was held just around the corner at the Village Collective, and the classmates' celebration spilled over and added to the merriment on Green Street.

Some people enjoyed the music – and wine – on the patio outside the tasting room at downtown Stray Leaves Vineyard. Craft beer fans enjoyed beers from two Tehachapi microbreweries – Local Craft Beer and Westlane Brewing.

Food was available at area restaurants and #LoveTehachapi volunteers served free meals provided by Tehachapi Vineyard Church.

Budge enjoyed watching dancers of all ages, including children.

“It’s great,” he said, “to reach all these generations.”

It will be a few weeks before the city has accurate attendance figures, but it was clear that the crowd was over 1,000 people.

Country singer Joe Peters of Bakersfield opened the event, followed by Darby Herrera, a fire artist. Yachty by Nature provided the music for the rest of the evening.

In addition to the 1915 Street Dance, Tehachapi has enjoyed dancing on the downtown streets over the years and the Green Street Get Down has received praise, suggesting it has a good chance of becoming part of future festivals.

The city of Tehachapi financed the event and paid around $7,500 for entertainment alone.

Claudia Elliott is a freelance journalist. You can reach her by email: [email protected].