Mammoth Rocks and Taste of the Sierra returns to its roots in year six.

As Event Organizer Mark Deeds said this week of Mammoth Rocks, “It was time we got back to the basics. We wanted the biggest draw for the biggest demographic.”

Thus, after a two-year experiement booking original, indie bands, Mammoth Rocks is going “back to the future.” While there may be no DeLoreans up at the Village at Mammoth on August 22-23, there will be a cornucopia of classic rock/tribute bands.

Among the performers will be a Tom Petty tribute band called “Petty Theft.” The interview with band member Monroe Grisman appears on page 16.

Originally a Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce-produced event, this year Deeds, Matthew Lehman and Eric Wasserman have independently taken on the job.

And as Deeds said, “I hope people come as much for the food as the music.”

Ten food vendors are signed up for this year’s event, and include: Bleu Handcrafted Foods, Chart House, East Side Bake Shop, Ohanas 395, Red Lantern, Side Door, Smokeyard, Sushi Rei, Thai’d Up and the Underground Lounge.

The food vendors will offer tasters ranging in price from $1 to $10 with many of the items in the $3-4 range. The idea, said Deeds, “Is that you can come with a $20 and sample a lot.”

Great food, music, beer … this is what Mammoth does well.  Come out and enjoy the fun next weekend.