Ojai Country Music Festival to Feature an Array of Styles

Hats are optional, but a good time is promised for all who have a taste for country music at the second annual Ojai Country Music Festival at Ojai Bowl in Libbey Park from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday.

The festival will feature a diverse sampling of music under the heading of country, but don’t expect to hear “Achy Breaky Heart.”

Headlining the show is Dan Hicks and the Acoustic Warriors, the eclectic acoustic Bay Area-based band led by Hicks, formerly of the Hot Licks. Also rolling into town will be Ranch Romance, a critically acclaimed almost-all-gal group that plays a nostalgic brand of “regressive country” harking back to the days of Patsy Cline and Bob Wills.

There will be local favorites on the bill, as well, including Ojai singer-songwriter Alan Thornhill, who already performed last year. Also hailing from Ojai are Milton Kelley and Peter Howard. Ventura County stalwarts Sky King and the Steve Hill Band will round out the schedule.

Tickets for the day are $18 in advance or $20 at the door. Children 12 and younger get in free with an adult. For information and tickets, call 646-8126.