Northwest Camping/Festivals for an Overworked Guy

[Mandobart]

Hi all, I'm blessed to live in the great Pacific Northwest. If you have the time there are enough bluegrass (and other) festivals to have fun almost every week from May through September. The problem for me is a demanding full time job working rotating shifts - I work a lot of weekends, nights and holidays. I go to Wintergrass every year because I know it will always be the last weekend in February and I can plan a year in advance. Every odd year (like 2019) we shutdown the plant for major maintenance and I work 70 hours/week from April through early July and I have almost enough time to eat, sleep and breathe between shifts.

So, what are your recommendations for laid back festivals with camping and jamming in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, western Montana or southern BC between mid-July through mid-October that I can start planning for now? Thanks.

[Luna Pick]

Targhee festival in WY? They have a music camp as well. Music camps are often pretty laid back, and include camping. PSGW for instance in Port Orchard.

[bigskygirl]

I'd sure like to get back to Wintergrass sometime, I went a few years ago when I was still a mando newbie and didn't jam much but listened and learned and had a great time. Anyway, it might be further than you'd like to go but look into Targhee Music Camp - its held at the Grand Targhee Ski Resort in Alta, WY the first week in August - the week before the weekend BG Festival.

[Northwest Steve]

Probably not a complete list but a pretty good one. Festival

http://www.spokanebluegrass.org/festivals.html

Bluewaters in Medical Lake (just outside Spokane) is a really great Festival. Great acts. lots of jamming and a terrific setting.

The Camp and Jam up in Northport would be fun and is over a long weekend?

I have really wanted to go to the Hard Times festival but my wife seems to schedule something that weekend every year.

I would also like to make the Wenatchee River Bluegrass Festival, but that one might be during your busy time.

[markd]

The Wenatchee River Bluegrass festival is my second favorite in the PNW other than Wintergrass. Always the 3rd weekend in June so you can plan in advance. Great campground and jamming all night, great people.

Mark

[Denman John]

Hey Mandobart,

Hope to bump into you again at Wintergrass ~ always a good time!

Check out NimbleFingers if you get a chance. Great instruction during the day and concerts/jamming in the evenings. The exchange rate works for you as well.

See ya in a few weeks.
John

[tiltman]

Gorgegrass (used to be the Columbia Gorge Bluegrass Festival) - 4th weekend in July
Darrington Bluegrass Festival - mid/late July?
- these are both really good and have lots of picking

You might also check the OBA and WBA websites.

Kirk

[Kevin Winn]

The OBA web site has a good listing. These are the main ones for NW OR/SW WA

Goldendale Pickers Festival
Wheeler County Bluegrass Festival
Gorgegrass
Mt St Helens Bluegrass Festival
Tygh Valley Jamboree

[Jim Roberts]

This one http://cowichanbluegrass.com/ on Vancouver Island, BC Canada should be a lot of fun this summer. Great lineup and setting. This used to be the Sooke Bluegrass Festival I think...

[Jim Roberts]

July 12-14 in Merrill, Oregon so maybe this one will work for you...

https://www.lostriverfestival.com/

[hjforsh]

It doesn't get much more laid back than the Oregon Old Time Fiddlers Brookings Jamboree, March 22 and 23. Brookings is in Curry County, Oregon; the locals say, "No hurry in Curry."

Brookings is as far south on the Oregon Coast as you can go before bumping into California. If we're lucky it will be sunny and in the 60's and 70's -- if we're not lucky, well, you PNW folks all know what rain is like. Free dry camping at the Grange, which is right on 101. There are also two beautiful campgrounds with beach access, Harris Beach State Park and the privately-operated Beachfront RV Park. Lots of other campgrounds in the area and a number of motels.

And August 15-17 is the Winchester Bay OOTFA Camp Out, near Reedsport, another Oregon Coast opportunity.

Let me know if you're coming and I'll keep an eye out for you!

[DavidW]

This link may be of use to some. I couldn't find a list that met my needs so I put this together.
http://www.rainierpickinparty.com/nw...als/index.html

[hunterhill]

Northwest String summit

[Toycona]

I will be at Brian Oberlin's River of the West mandolin camp in June. Hope to see you there.