'Kick the City Off Your Shoes' at Olalla Bluegrass Festival This Saturday

The Olalla Bluegrass & Beyond Festival celebrates its 22th birthday on Saturday, Aug. 17, at the South Kitsap Southern Little League field on Olalla Valley Road. Gates open at 10 a.m. and the music starts at 11 a.m. for all who want to Kick the City off Your Shoes!

Known for its family-friendly atmosphere, kids’ activities and the famous berry pie contest, the festival also showcases some of the best acoustic bands in the region. 

“We always try to live up to our 'Kick the City off Your Shoes' motto,” said festival founder Charlee Glock-Jackson. “It’s a lively, fun-filled day with lots of good energy and amazing music.”

OlallaFest brings together a number of community organizations, all playing a part in the festival’s success. “The Olalla Elementary School PTA organizes the kids activities,” said festival chair Larry Davis. 

All the proceeds will benefit the FISH, Key Peninsula Food Bank and the South Kitsap HelpLine.

In the afternoon, there’s a ‘round-the-ballfield parade that all the kids in the audience are invited to join. The second line from the Too Loose Cajun Zydeco Band will add a Mardi Gras theme to the parade and Delta Music Experience, headquartered in Gig Harbor, will provide Mardi Gras beads. Internationally known children’s entertainer Jim Valley of Gig Harbor will also perform.

Another festival tradition – the famous Berry Pie Contest –takes place at 1:40 p.m. Anyone who brings a pie – either for the contest or as a donation to the pie sales – will get $5 off their admission price.

The schedule for the day:

• 11 a.m. Pickled Okra – frolicking bluegrass licks (Seattle)
• Noon Eclectic Cloggers – festival regulars since Year One
• 12:45 p.m. Top String – talented young whippersnappers (Gig Harbor and Toppenish)
• 1p.m. Guided nature walk along Olalla Creek
• 1:40 p.m. Berry Pie Contest & auction of winning pie
• 2 p.m. North Country – traditional bluegrass with a contemporary twist
• 3 p.m. Fern Hill – Gentlemen’s bluegrass in the style of Bill Monroe (Portland, Salem)
• 3 p.m. Guided nature walk along Olalla Creek
• 4 p.m.  Jef Ramsey & His Good Ol’ Pals – A reunion of festival favorites. Bill Monroe meets the Temptations (Medford, Olympia & Silverdale)
• 5 p.m. Dodgy Mountain Men – blazing originals – with tablas! (Missoula, MT)
• 6 p.m. Kiddos’ parade with Too Loose Cajun/Zydeco Band and Jim Valley
• 7 p.m. Too Loose Cajun/Zydeco Band – Kick the city off your shoes and let the good times role!

The Olalla Bluegrass & Beyond Festival benefits the Olalla Community Club, local music programs and non-profit organizations in the South Kitsap / Gig Harbor community.                                                           

Tickets are $15-$40 at Brown Paper Tickets (brownpapertickets.com) and at the gate. Parking is $3 per car, collected by the Little League. Camping: $10 per night (no hook-ups). Sorry, no dogs allowed.

• WHAT:  Kick the City off Your Shoes at the 22nd Olalla Bluegrass & Beyond Festival
• WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 17; 11 a.m. – dusk. Gates open at 10 a.m.
• WHERE: South Kitsap Southern Little League Field at Olalla Valley Road SE & SE Hovgaard Road
• TICKETS: $15 for adults; $10 for kids 6-16 & seniors; $40 for family pass; free for kids under 6 years.
• INFO: olallabluegrass.com or 253-857–5604