Trail Mix began in 2016 as a day-long music fest, produced by teens in the Theatre & Arts Leadership Kouncil (TALK) as a showcase of local talent and to benefit its venue, the Homewood Izaak Walton Preserve. The video above helped us promote that very first fest.

When TALK relocated in 2018, a small committee of local music lovers and musicians took up the Trail Mix mantle. Trail Mix continued as a grassroots, entirely volunteer-run effort to bring amazing musical entertainment to our delightful little clearing in the woods.

After cancelling the 2020 music fest due to COVID, replacing it with a recording of nine local Trail Mix artists (now available on our merch page in digital and vinyl), Trail Mix returned in 2021 as a concert series that features professional and touring artists from around the country along with local musicians. Trail Mix continues to benefit our beloved Preserve.

In early 2023, Trail Mix obtained 501c3 Not-For-Profit designation. 

In 2024, Trail Mix sought partners for indoor shows because, well CICADA's!  For our bigger shows, we partnered with the Thornton Distilling Co. and then began several partnerships connecting the growing number of amazing artists we knew with area businesses that wanted the Trail Mic vibe in their digs.  

Trail Mix Board of Directors: Steve Buchtel. Jeff Maharry, Andrew Palmer, Steve Ploum, Kristen Ryan,