OGDEN — Ogden Friends of Acoustic Music, or OFOAM, just released its lineup for the 16th annual Ogden Music Festival, which will be returning to Weber County’s Fort Buenaventura from May 31-June 2.

Grammy-winning artists Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway and Sarah Jarosz will headline the three-day event.

Joining them on the main stage will be acts like Celisse, Hayes Carll, Say She She, Las Cafeteras, Pixie & The Partygrass Boys, Twisted Pine, The Slocan Ramblers, Wyatt Ellis, Josie O and The Big Six, and Mariachi Aguilas de la Esperanza.

It’s an eclectic lineup comprised of artists with wide-ranging influences, points of origin and musical styles. Festival co-director Reba Nissen says that being a bastion for inclusivity and diversity is part of OFOAM’s mission.

“We really want to create an event that celebrates the community in Ogden, which is diverse. We want to include everybody,” Nissen told the Standard-Examiner. “You can be 16, 36, you can be 66 and you can find the bands that you like and the fun that you like.”

The festival is back at Fort Buenaventura after flooding forced a late venue change in 2023. As Nissen sees it, the unique location makes the event stand out among the myriad music festivals that occur across the region, and even nationally.

“One of the things that’s so magical is that it’s just a mile from downtown Ogden but you’re transported to this oasis,” Nissen said. “I’ve been to a lot of music festivals and there’s nothing that compares to the fort in terms of the proximity of the camping to the music.”

On-site camping will be available throughout the weekend of the festival, which also will feature workshops, a kid zone with an instrument petting zoo, late-night campground jams, a kids parade, art vendors, morning yoga sessions and culinary delights from local food and beverage vendors.

Nissen cited the workshop stage as a hidden gem of the festival, where attendees can interact with main-stage artists in an intimate environment.

She noted that bluegrass star Sierra Hull once led a mandolin workshop with hands-on instruction in this setting.

Another of OFOAM’s aims is for children to develop their appreciation and application of music through their experiences at the festival.

“I want everyone’s kids to grow up at this festival,” Nissen said. “We really want to get instruments in kids’ hands, and I’d love for people to bring their kids to the festival.”

Early bird tickets for the Ogden Music Festival are currently on sale at ofoam.org. Kids aged 16 and under get free admission into the event.

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