Reporter for The Canyon Weekly
The River City Music & Art Jamboree will be back next weekend in Mill City for the first time since being postponed in 2020.
Scheduled for Aug. 5 and 6 at Kimmel Park, the festival will celebrate musicians and artists from throughout the area, with performances and events free to the public. Those who would like a full-service experience can reserve a VIP package for $45, which includes a meal voucher, two drink vouchers, a commemorative t-shirt and covered seating.
Jamboree Chairperson Kristin McBride said the return of the festival is another sign of the community’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and devastating 2020 wildfires, and it “feels great having the Jamboree back.”
“We are so lucky to even still have the park to hold the event in,” said McBride. “We want to focus on our community, small businesses that really took a hit, give people distractions from their continued issues caused by the fire and just relax with this free event.”
The event is organized and sponsored by the North Santiam Chamber of Commerce and Santiam Hearts to Arts, which McBride said “are all about community and helping others.”
Headlining this year’s festival is The Canyon All-Stars, a local blues rock band whom McBride said made special changes to their summer schedule just for the Jamboree. She said many performers already found themselves booked for that weekend because so many festivals and events are regrouping after two years of pandemic restrictions and live musicians are in demand.
“I feel fortunate that The Canyon All-Stars changed their plans so they could be our headliner Saturday night,” said McBride. “With them being our most-well known and loved local band, it was important to have them there.”
Also scheduled to perform is the Santiam Canyon Community Chorus, which also made its return from pandemic lockdowns this year, while local radio station KYAC is expected to broadcast live from the festival.
McBride said competition for vendors has also been fierce, but said it’s a good thing for local craftspeople and small businesses to see a bump in support.
“With everything else opening up, luckily for these vendors, they are booked up and in the best cases like The Craft Shack and More, here in Mill City, they are simply sold out of what they had,” said McBride. “At least we are in front of them now and next year they will be ready for our event as well.”
The River City Music & Art Jamboree is still relatively new, as festivals go, being held for the first time Aug. 20, 2017, as locals and out-of-towners gathered for the total solar eclipse which passed over Oregon the following day.
Three years later, pandemic lockdowns put the event on hold, but McBride said they now look forward to the event growing in popularity among artists and attendees.
“We hope that the name of the event will become more familiar and desirable to crafters, artists, food vendors, musicians and community, making it a choice event for our local community,” she said.
McBride noted original organizers Tom Peters and Dave Shelton brought a lot of energy to the first Jamboree and have left large shoes to fill. The two have since moved out of town and are no longer involved in coordinating the event, though McBride said they do plan to attend this year’s return of the festival.
For residents who may not have attended the first three festivals, McBride said they can expect a range of music and events appealing to all attendees, describing the mood as a “very laid back, relaxing vibe.”
“There will almost always be a band playing,” she said.
Those who wish to do more than attend the Jamboree may also help with putting on the event. McBride said there are still opportunities to volunteer, both in the lead-up to the festival and during the event, and even small commitments of time are helpful.
“This is like running a small business. There is a need for every aspect, parking coordination, vendor contacts, mailers, phone calls and the list goes on,” she said. “If anyone is available to help at the actual event itself, it would be very welcome.”
Those seeking additional information, including how to volunteer, can email [email protected] or find their page on Facebook.
The Jamboree is scheduled for Aug. 5 from noon to 10 p.m., and Aug. 6 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Kimmel Park in Mill City.
River City Music & Art Jamboree
Noon – 10 p.m. Aug. 5
10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Aug 6
Kimmel Park, Mill City
Attendance is free, VIP package is $45
