The festival began in 1994[1] in Marysville, California by organizer Warren Smith.

[2] Citing problems with crime in its initial location,[3] organizers moved the festival to Angels Camp, California in 2001.

[1] After five years in Calaveras County, fairgrounds management insisted on hiring its own security and billing the festival.

Along with its many other veteran acts, the SNWMF is notable for being the first to bring Junior Byles abroad,[9] whereupon he performed a 45-minute set in for the festival in 1998.

However, disappointing ticket sales in 2024 forced a cancellation close to the start date, with would-be attendees told that the passes were good at Reggae on the River event in the Humboldt County, California in lieu of a refund.