Ogden Music Festival returns to Fort Buenaventura on Labor Day weekend
-
- Between 3,000 to 3,500 attendees travel to Ogden Music Festival at the picturesque setting of Fort Buenaventura every year, roughly 40% from the Salt Lake area and many from out of state, a summer tradition for families and friends. (Photo supplied, OFOAM)
-
- Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets to the festival, where there is plenty of shade, food and drink vendors, and friendly music-lovers. (Photo supplied, OFOAM)
-
- Attendees can purchase a $115 pass to stay at the Fort Buenaventura campgrounds during the festival, which includes entrance to all three days. (Photo supplied, OFOAM)
-
- Ogden Music Festival is a three-day festival with camping plus educational and recreational opportunities for all ages. (Photo supplied, OFOAM)
-
- Nightly campground jams are a favorite tradition for festival goers, back this year at Ogden Music Festival. (Photo supplied, OFOAM)
Ogden Friends of Acoustic Music is hosting the 13th Annual Ogden Music Festival, the beloved summer celebration of music at Ogden’s beautiful Fort Buenaventura, this year being held toward the end of summer festival season, from Sept. 3-5 over Labor Day weekend.
Once again, “the Fort will be transformed into a world-class venue, featuring big names in traditional Americana and bluegrass music and a good dose of soul and mariachi,” OFOAM stated in a news release.
A wide representation of music genres and inclusiveness distinguishes Ogden Music Festival from other festivals of its kind, a deliberate choice by the mostly volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Festival co-director Reba Nissen said OFOAM has always presented young artists, artists of color and female artists who are all underrepresented at bluegrass and Americana festivals.
The Ogden Music Festival is about celebrating music, Nissen says, starting with traditional and contemporary bluegrass and Americana, as well as the intersections between genres, being mindful of the fact that Ogden is over 31% Hispanic/Latino.
This year, OFOAM is welcoming Mariachi Aguilas de la Esperanza, from the mariachi program at Esperanza School in West Valley City, whose school principal, coincidentally, started a mariachi program at Ogden High School years ago. The group of 50 children, from second through sixth grades, will be at the festival all weekend, marching Saturday morning to the main stage and in the kids parade, then through the campground on Sunday leading up to their performance.
OFOAM has always focused on children. “Our mission is really about getting kids exposed to live music and instruments in their hands,” Nissen said.
Funding from Weber County RAMP and other local organizations, foundations and business sponsors allows OFOAM to keep the festival free for kids ages 16 and under, so families may continue to enjoy the weekend together well into the teenage years. At age 17, they can become a festival volunteer to continue to access free entrance. Ogden Music Festival is also one of the lowest priced three-day camping festivals in comparison with others in the region.
A new program will be implemented this year to further support OFOAM’s mission to get instruments into the hands of community youth. The Raychel LeBlanc memorial WILL & WAY, short for Weber Instrument Lending Library for Weber Acoustic Youth, will lend instruments to youth with barriers to owning or renting an instrument who are interested in playing, with additional opportunities to enroll in free music lessons.
“Raychel would have loved this program and what it can do for kids in Ogden,” Nissen said.
Raychel Jayne LeBlanc served as OFOAM’s marketing director and was a member of the OFOAM board from 2016 to 2019 when she landed her dream job in New Mexico. Nissen said: “Raychel had the ability to get people out to events in Ogden. Far beyond being a job, Raychel had a mission to build and strengthen community through her writing and photos. She could tell Ogden’s story, and OFOAM’s story, like no one else. We miss her beyond words.”
LeBlanc’s passion for music and the Ogden community lives on through the festival and the continuous work of Nissen and OFOAM founder and Executive Director Michelle Tanner, who both have full-time careers working with children outside of OFOAM — Tanner is a Life Flight nurse and Nissen works for the state of Utah serving children and families.
This is probably why there is so much to keep kids entertained throughout the three-day festival. The Kid’s Parade, Bike Rodeo and Kid’s Camp with arts and crafts in addition to the instrument petting zoo are all designed to get kids excited about live music.
OFOAM also seeks to honor Ogden’s history with live music dating back to the early 1900s when the Porters and Waiters Club opened on 25th Street.
“The McCrary Sisters, out of Nashville, sing a unique style of gospel,” Nissen said. “Influenced by classic soul, Americana, blues and R&B, these sisters bring an indescribable joy to singing.” After their own powerful set on Friday night, the foursome will be bringing their soulful harmonies to the other artists throughout the festival.
The award-winning lineup of artists for Ogden Music Festival 2021 includes Sierra Hull, Town Mountain, Dustbowl Revival, Mile Twelve, Sierra Ferrell, Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, The Brothers Comatose, The McCrary Sisters, Crying Uncle, Moriah & Friends, Wheelright, The Proper Way, Mariachi Aguilas de la Esperanza and over a dozen “tweeners” — seasoned local artists who will perform short sets between the main acts.
Another unique quality of Ogden Music Festival is the many ways for attendees to engage in the OFOAM Festival Community such as kids activities, vending, sponsorship, volunteerism and campground jams.
Ogden Music Festival is where new friendships are forged, lovers get engaged, future spouses meet and the experience of all-day music in a natural setting among river and trees turns into an annual summer tradition for friends and family from Weber County and Salt Lake City alike. The festival also attracts hundreds from over 20 states and even overseas.
On-site camping and the traditional campground jams will carry on this year, along with the workshop stage that features instrument and band workshops by the mainstage artists.
An array of artist vendors with handmade items, art pieces and gifts will surround the venue, along with local food and beverage offerings such as Grounds for Coffee and Roosters Brewing, Lucky Slice Pizza, Charlie’s Rolling Bistro, Dakine Grindz Hawaiian BBQ, Scallywagon and Rachel’s Ice Cream.
OFOAM is dedicated to the health and safety of the community and will follow the guidelines and protocols set by the Weber-Morgan Health Department. For recent updates, visit https://bit.ly/2UQKnl4.
There are many ways to enjoy the festival, either by day or weekend pass and with or without camping options, starting at only $85 (on or before Sept. 2) for a three-day noncamping festival pass. Pre-sale pricing for camping is only $115, and a day pass is $45 — a steal for the quality of live music available from multiple artists for a day inside the gorgeous venue full of recreational and event activities.
A Sunday pass is only $25 (normally $45), and Nissen encourages people to take advantage of the special day for five reasons: to save some money; cure Saturday night’s hangover with Grounds for Coffee or a beer from Roosters while relaxing in the shade; Ogden’s own bluegrass band The Proper Way at noon, who will be at the workshop stage at 2:30 p.m.; Mariachi Aguilas de la Esperanza overflowing the main stage (and your heart); and to “feel all the feels” with Sierra Ferrell, an up-and-coming artist who just released her debut album and will have it on sale at the festival.
Another way to experience the festival in a more intimate way is to volunteer either one three-hour shift for a free single day pass or two three-hour shifts and full weekend access.
“We couldn’t do this festival without an army of volunteers,” Nissen said. Volunteers connect to the community and “find their people.”
Sign up to be a volunteer, purchase tickets and learn more festival details at ofoam.org.