Wallowa County Fairgrounds Saturday of Labor Day weekend www.juniperjam.com
If you dig music and love remote wonders, Juniper Jam in Enterprise is a must-do event—it truly is the sweetest little music festival in Eastern Oregon, as the organizers bill this one-day party. In fact, considering the gorgeous venue—the high ramparts of the Wallowa Mountains looming as a splendid backdrop— Juniper Jam is one of the sweetest music festivals in the entire state.
Juniper Jam Enterprise – USA Festivals Photo Gallery
Juniper Jam annually delivers a superb lineup of professional musicians. Genres run the gamut: rock, Americana, blues, bluegrass, folk, acoustic, country, swing, jazz, R&B, and more—and plenty of musicians brilliantly blur the lines between genres. The festival kicks off at noon, with the first musicians taking the stage at 1 pm; the music then continues until nearly 11 pm. Food vendors provide an array of excellent options, including beer and wine, and local artisans demonstrate their talents and offer their art for sale. The festival also includes the TR Ritchie Memorial Songwriting Contest. TR Ritchie (1946-2014) was a beloved member of the songwriting community around the country, with deep ties to the Northwest. To honor his life’s work in music, writing, poetry, and art, songwriters are invited to enter their best recent work to win a showcase spot at Juniper Jam, along with cash prizes.
Few music festivals can match the high-mountain majesty of Juniper Jam in Enterprise.
Tickets to Juniper Jam, which are inexpensive, are available in advance online, and buying ahead of time is a good idea in case the event sells out.
Enterprise is a long ways from everywhere, so if you attend the Juniper Jam, plan to stay for the weekend and make lodging arrangements well in advance (for a list of options, consult the Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce, www.wallowacountychamber.com). In addition to motels, hotels, and B&Bs, the area has several campgrounds. This beautiful valley and surrounding mountains offer many diversions: drive to the rim of Hells Canyon or down into the Imnaha River canyon; hike the trails of the Eagle Cap Wilderness; fish or play at scenic Wallowa Lake; visit the many art galleries and eclectic shops in Enterprise and Joseph; sample the restaurants, pubs, and bars in both communities (hopheads won’t want to miss a visit to Terminal Gravity Brewery in Enterprise). And that’s just the tip of the iceberg in a faraway corner of Oregon brimming with options for outdoors enthusiasts.
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