Windy Bay! Remember a previous blog about this unique, busy-with-lots-to-do Oregon Coast place? https://umpquariverhaven.com/2015/04/25/visiting-windy-bay/ The Bay is more than dunes, beach, lighthouse, lake, fish, oysters and boats. The community has a social center where they hold potlucks, receptions, socials and other events. Not the least of these happenings is the annual Oregon Old Time Fiddlers Association Fiddle Music Jamboree.

Musicians from all over Oregon, Washington and Northern California travel to this beautiful coast place for a lot of Jammin’. There is Jammin’ here, there and everywhere inside and outside and around the center and even on the boat docks. You just can’t miss it when you visit as the melodies drift out over the bay.

This event grows bigger every year and 80 – 100 musicians will find their way to Windy Bay mid-August for four days starting on a Thursday. They jam with fiddles, banjos, double basses, mandolins, harmonicas, guitars and you might see some creative instruments, too, like a washtub single string bass. A wide variety of music is on the program. You will hear bluegrass, swing, folk, Cajun, country, pretty waltzes and, of course, old time music. And listen for some exciting Celtic music! You probably won’t hear any rap music but there will be lots of singing to go along with the fiddlin’.

Open jam sessions happen every day, all day long as described above. In the evenings starting at 6:00 P.M., there is a concert on stage inside the center. There might be a dinner available one evening and Sunday morning there is a Gospel Show starting at 9:00 A.M. that closes down the jamboree.

There are lodging accommodations in the bay. We like the Harbor View Motel right on the bay.  It is older, but nice and very clean (we know the owner) and the rates are reasonable. Tell Cindy that Ellen sent you! There are additional accommodations, too.

Several restaurants reside in the bay, including one that one floats, but our personal favorite is Bedrock’s Pizzeria. It is directly on the bay with two windowed walls. It’s not fancy but it is pleasant, clean and the service is friendly. The food is good, too. We love the clam strips! You are practically sittin’ on the water watching the ducks, seagulls and loons. http://bedrocksrestaurants.com/index.html

We wanted you to know about this happy, fun event now so that when you plan your Oregon August trip (do call ahead to stay with us here at Umpqua River Haven – 541-587-4406 – www.umpqahaven.com) you can plan to attend the jamboree. The weather will be gorgeous and the ocean breezes gentle. Oh, and you might meet one or two of the Coast Chamber Ensemble members. Yes, CCE is mostly classical but some of us fiddle, too.

Now, come set a spell and enjoy some of the music of the 2014 jamboree in this video. At about 12 minutes in there are some cute kids performing.