The Ogden Music Festival returns to Fort Buenaventura for Labor Day weekend (2023)

Ogden Friends of Acoustic Music hosts the 13th annual Ogden Music Festival, the popular summer music celebration at Ogden's beautiful Fort Buenaventura, taking place towards the end of the summer festival season for the September 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 healthy helping of soul and mariachi," OFOAM said in a press release.

A broad representation of musical genres and inclusion sets the Ogden Music Festival apart from other festivals of its kind, a conscious choice by the predominantly volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Festival co-director Reba Nissen said OFOAM has always featured young artists, artists of color and women artists, all of whom are underrepresented at bluegrass and Americana festivals.

The Ogden Music Festival is all about celebrating music, says Nissen, starting with traditional and contemporary bluegrass and Americana, and the intersections between genres, keeping in mind that Ogden is more than 31% Hispanic/Latin American.

This year, OFOAM welcomes Mariachi Águilas de la Esperanza from the mariachi program at Esperanza School in West Valley City, whose principal coincidentally started a mariachi program at Ogden High School years ago. The group of 50 children, grades two through six, will be at the festival all weekend, marching to the main stage and children's parade on Saturday morning, then through camp on Sunday until their performance.

OFOAM has always focused on children. "Our mission is really to introduce kids to live music and instruments in their hands," Nissen said.

Funding from the Weber County RAMP and other local organizations, foundations and business sponsors allows OFOAM to keep the festival free for children under 16, allowing families to enjoy the weekend well into their teens. At the age of 17 you can become a festival volunteer to continue having free admission. The Ogden Music Festival is also one of the best value three-day camping festivals compared to others in the area.

A new program will be introduced this year to further support OFOAM's mission of putting tools in the hands of youth in the community. The Raychel-LeBlanc Memorial WILL & WAY, short for Weber Instrument Lending Library for Weber Acoustic Youth, will lend instruments to youth who struggle to own or rent an instrument they are interested in playing, with additional opportunities to explore Sign up for free music lessons

"Raychel would have loved this program and what it can do for the children of Ogden," Nissen said.

Raychel Jayne LeBlanc served as OFOAM's Director of Marketing and was a member of OFOAM's Board of Directors from 2016 to 2019 when she landed her dream job in New Mexico. Nissen said: "Raychel had the ability to bring people to events in Ogden. Far beyond a job, Raychel's mission was to build and strengthen community through her writing and photography. She could tell the story of Ogden and OFOAM like no other. We miss her beyond words."

LeBlanc's passion for music and the Ogden community lives on through the festival and the ongoing work of Nissen and OFOAM Founder and CEO Michelle Tanner, who both work full-time 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 entertain children during the three-day festival. The Kid's Parade, Bike Rodeo and Kid's Camp with arts and crafts, as well as the Instrument Zoo are designed to excite children with 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 Nashville McCrary Sisters sing a unique gospel style," 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 bring their soulful harmonies to other artists throughout the festival.

Award-winning artists for the 2021 Ogden Music Festival include 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, the Águilas de la Esperanza mariachi and more than a dozen "Tweeners", experienced local artists who will perform short presentations between the main acts.

Another unique quality of the Ogden Music Festival is the many opportunities for attendees to interact with the OFOAM Festival community, such as: B. Children's activities, vending machines, sponsorships, volunteering, and camp jams.

At the Ogden Music Festival, new friendships are forged, lovers get engaged, soon-to-be spouses meet, and enjoying music all day in a natural setting among rivers and trees becomes an annual summer tradition for friends and relatives from Weber and Salt County. Lake City alike. The festival also attracts hundreds of people from more than 20 states and even from abroad.

On-site camping and traditional camp jams continue this year, along with the Workshop Stage, featuring band and instrument workshops from the main stage performers.

A variety of artist vendors with handmade items, artwork, and gifts will surround the venue, along with local food and drink like 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 established by the Weber-Morgan Health Department. For the latest updates, seehttps://bit.ly/2UQKnl4.

There are many ways to experience the festival, with either a day or weekend pass and with or without camping, starting at just $85 (on or before September 2) for a 3-day festival pass without camping . Pre-sale price for camping is only $115 and a day pass is $45, a bargain for quality live music performed by multiple artists for one day at this beautiful place full of fun and activities.

A Sunday pass is just $25 (usually $45), and Nissen encourages people to take advantage of the special day for five reasons: to save some money; cure a Saturday night hangover with Grounds for Coffee or a pint of Roosters while relaxing in the shade; Ogden's own bluegrass band, The Proper Way, at noon, who will be on the workshop stage at 2:30 p.m. m.; The Mariachi Águilas de la Esperanza will flood the main stage (and your heart); and “feel all the feelings” with Sierra Ferrell, an emerging artist who has just released her debut album and will be releasing it at the festival.

Another way to experience the festival in a more intimate way is to volunteer for a three-hour shift in exchange for a free day pass or two three-hour shifts and all-access on the weekend.

"We couldn't run this festival without an army of volunteers," Nissen said. Volunteers connect with the community and “find their people”.

Sign up as a volunteer, buy tickets and learn more about the festival atofoam.org.

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