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HISTORY:

The Wheeler County Bluegrass Festival has grown steadily over its history and is noted for its pleasant rural atmosphere. Wheeler County, with three incorporated towns, is the only county in Oregon with more horses than people. Life marches to a different drummer here, if it marches at all.

The Festival takes place in the old pioneer town of Fossil, the county seat, in front of the beautiful brick courthouse, now over 100 years old. The town, like a lot of its residents, is peaceful, friendly, quiet, and old. Besides the Festival itself, there's a variety of small but wonderful "museums" but you can also get modern coffee if that's what turns your wheels.

There's no admission charged for attending the Festival but you will need to bring your own chair and/or blanket. There's dry camping and RV parking available at the fairgrounds, about a 5-minute walk from the courthouse, and at nearby parks. Local vendors sell a variety of food and treats.

A unique and popular part of this Festival is the "Fossil Song Contest." As in traditional song contests, only original unpublished songs are allowed, but songs must be about some feature of the local area - the place, people, history, or even imagined events.

Fossil is about a 3-hour drive from Bend or Portland. Bring your instruments and your dancing shoes, stay a day or the whole weekend, and be a part of the greatest little festival in Eastern Oregon.

Gospel Open Mic

This year, the traditional sunday morning Gospel Show at 11 a.m. will feature a Gospel Open Mic, with sign-ups at the information table on Friday and Saturday. A total of eight open mic slots will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Performers may be either ensemble or solo. Performers will be asked to identify their song when they sign up in order to duplication with others on the sign-up list.