The Doors, Mt. Tamalpais Outdoor Theatre, Mill Valley

June 10th, 1967: Mt. Tamalpais Outdoor Theatre, Mill Valley

This is the very first of its kind outdoor festival, running Sat. and Sun. from 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m., with all the top local bands helping usher in the dawning of the 1960's rock festivals. The Monterey Pop Festival is next week and far outshines this one, but this is the first! Admission to the festival was $2.00 and all proceeds were donated to the nearby Hunters Point Child Care Centre in San Francisco. The Fantasy Fair was originally scheduled for June 3 and 4 as a benefit for the centre but was delayed one week by inclement weather. Several acts booked for the original dates were unable to perform.

The venue is a 4,000-seat outdoor facility at the Sidney B. Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre high on the south face of Mount Tamalpais in Marin County, California. At least 36,000 people attended the two-day concert and fair that was the first of a series of San Francisco area cultural events. After enjoying a scenic ride up the mountain from embarkation points at the Marin County Civic Centre, Mill Valley and other locations, a giant Buddha balloon greeted attendees when they arrived at the amphitheatre.

Transportation was provided by the tongue-in-cheek-named "Trans-Love Bus Lines", a variation of the line "Fly Trans Love Airways, get you there on time" from the lyrics to Donovan's song "Fat Angel". Performances were on a main stage and a smaller second stage. Various art-fair type vendors sold posters, crafts and refreshments from booths scattered in the woods around the amphitheatre. The festival included a large geodesic dome of pipes and fittings covered with white plastic that contained a light and sound show.

The Doors play a good strong set with Jim swinging off a few flag poles while playing the crowd rather effectively in such a hectic atmosphere with 15,000 in attendance. The Doors also play the Fillmore Auditorium later tonight. Also performing: (either Sat. or Sun.) The Jefferson Airplane, The Fifth Dimension, Dionne Warwick, Canned Heat, The Byrds, and The Steve Miller Band just to name a few.



The Doors performing at the Fantasy Fair on Mt. Tam, 1967

June 10th, 1967: Mt. Tamalpais Outdoor Theatre, Mill Valley