SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – A one-of-a-kind, going-back-in-time experience is waiting for you at the Tallac Historic Site this Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9 as the Great Gatsby Festival returns for its 39th year. 

“Since the Tallac Historic Site was established, it has been an interpretative center focused on preserving the roaring 20’s, which was the time period in which the estates were built,” said Erin Gavlock, Program Manager at Taylor Creek Visitor Center and Tallac Historic Site. “Since we have these really amazing cultural artifacts here, it’s the perfect location to be able to do such a living history event.” 

From vintage and craft market vendors to a pop-up Great Gatsby Bar, classic automobiles, living history camper vans and live jazz music at the Pope Estate, the Great Gatsby Festival is stacked with endless entertainment to transport you out of the 2020’s and into the jazz age.

The festival is home to some of the most unique events Lake Tahoe has to offer, including the Living History Pope House Experience where four to six different characters play roles true to the 1920’s era inside the Pope House. In addition, the Tea & Fashion Show will showcase fashion like you’ve never seen before.

“The fashion show is just about as old as the festival itself,” Gavlock said. “It began in the mid 1980s with a woman named Cherie Oliver who still provides the fashion show for us to this day.”

Oliver and her late, dear friend Deborah Rush teamed up decades ago to bring vintage fashion to the public.

“We wanted people to see not only how beautiful those pieces of clothing were, but also the people who wore them. These were real people, they weren’t just a character in a book or a perfect drawing on a piece of paper,” Oliver told the Tribune. 

Oliver’s Yesteryear Sierra will display an array of vintage clothing on live models, ranging from all sizes and all ages, some of whom have been modeling with Oliver for over 20 years. 

“I love seeing the enjoyment on people’s faces, I love seeing the people dress up and get into the spirit of things. Every show is different, and this year, [the theme] will be ‘Honeymoon at Tahoe: 1900s – 1950s’,” said Oliver.

The show is oriented to Lake Tahoe and will highlight a bride’s first day from her wedding, featuring several wedding dresses, to some old-school lingerie for her honeymoon night. Day clothes, cocktail wear and evening wear will also be showcased.

The fun doesn’t stop there as the Great Gatsby Festival has more than $11,000 value in silent auction and raffle prizes ranging from original artwork, local experiences, vacation stays and food and beverage certificates. 

Favorites include a two-night stay at the Historic Camp Richardson Hotel, a Tahoe Tasting Cruise for two, Clearly Tahoe’s guided kayak tour for two, and a two-night stay and dinner for two at the Landing Resort and Spa. 

The Great Gatsby Festival will take place starting at 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on both Saturday, August 8 and Sunday August 9. General entry is free for all ages, and several paid exceptions include the silent auction and the Tea & Fashion Show which takes place on Sunday at 2 p.m. 

When it comes to parking, folks are encouraged to arrive early and carpool as much as possible as the parking lots fill up extremely quickly. Parking is available at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center with a short walk to the Tallac Historic Site. Bike transportation and Uber are also encouraged. 

To book your tickets for the Tea & Fashion show or to view the festival’s full schedule, visit the 2026 Great Gatsby Festival webpage. 

The Tallac Historic Site is located at 1 Heritage Way in South Lake Tahoe, Calif.