Bluegrass Jamboree Returns, Supporting Music Education in Rural Oregon
Written by Pam Brown
The Tygh Valley Bluegrass Jamboree returns to the Wasco County Fairgrounds September 18-20, 2026, bringing three days of music, education, and community activities to Tygh Valley. The 2026 performance lineup features David Mayfield Parade, Yoseff Tucker and The Bow Ties, Tuesday String Band, Thunder Ridge, Cantara Loop, and Sweet Fern. The weekend will also include open jams and opportunities for players of all experience levels to join in.
Kids 18 and under receive free admission and the Jamboree offers plenty of opportunities for young people to explore music in a fun, low-pressure setting. Young folks can try a variety of bluegrass instruments, participate in singing classes, and learn the fundamentals of bluegrass through beginner-friendly instruction. The Jamboree is the perfect, affordable opportunity for families to experience live music together.
This musical weekend also supports a larger effort to bring music and arts opportunities to rural Oregon. Proceeds benefit the festival’s parent nonprofit, Shaniko Music Sanctuary, which uses proceeds from the Jamboree to help fund local school programs, provide free instruments, and create new opportunities for young people to learn and explore the arts.
Since the Jamboree began, Shaniko Music Sanctuary has raised over $10,000 for local music programs, bringing several free music performances to local communities and providing new instruments to music classes. The festival also helps expand access to instruments outside the classroom. An instrument lending library, supported by an annual donation drive at the Jamboree, provides bluegrass instruments for free checkout to residents with a Wasco County Library card. The collection currently includes instruments available through the Southern Wasco Library in Maupin.
Beyond the music, festival attendees can browse at the booths of local artisans and makers, enjoy food from a variety of local vendors, and explore the area by e-bike rented from Gear Up Maupin (phone: 541.615.1624). Connecting with a local artisan or maker, or cruising by e-bike will give you a taste of the South Wasco County culture while also supporting local businesses.
And if you love bluegrass as much as we do, you can help. We are seeking additional instruments to expand the lending library and improve music accessibility for local kids. Anyone with an instrument they'd like to share can contact info@shanikomusicsanctuary.com. Additionally, if you’d like to donate to the Rural Music Momentum, visit givebutter.com/RuralMusic to support the cause.
