Jackalope Jamboree Brings a Great Lineup of Country Music to Pendleton, Oregon

Out in Pendleton, Oregon an annual summer music festival is making some noise. The Jackalope Jamboree made its debut five years ago in 2019. It obviously took the following year off and has grown to become a well-known and highly sought after stop on the summer independent country music circuit.

About six years ago Rian Beach and Chad Colwell decided to bring a new music festival to the Eastern Oregon city of Pendleton. Yes, the city best known for the Pendleton Round Up added another festival worthy of making an extended weekend trip out of it.

For 2024, it’s once again going to be a great time when great music and even better beer come together for one memorable weekend. This scenario holds true when the Jackalope Jamboree returns to the Happy Canyon Arena in Pendleton, Oregon from Thursday, June 27 – Saturday, June 29.

“We are incredibly excited for this year’s lineup, says festival co-founder Chad Colwell, in a statement. “Top to bottom, from our headliners to our opening acts, this might be our best lineup yet.  We are already counting down the days till we get to see everyone back in Pendleton and Happy Canyon in June for another year of great music. Jackalope!”

This year’s three-day lineup is stacked with some of the best Americana and Indie Country out there. There’s Charlie Crocket, Silverada (formerly Mike and the Moonpies), Kaitlinn Butts, Randy Rogers Band, Jason Boland & The Stragglers, and Cody Canada & The Departed to name just a few.

Then taking a look at the undercard, there’s also some damn fine talent there. We’re excited to catch Emily Nenni, Alison Self & The Lowsome Lows, Bella White, Samantha Crain, Evan Redsky, and Colby Acuff.

2024 Jackalope Jamboree Schedule:

Thursday, June 27
Silverada (formerly Mike & The Moonpies)
Vandoliers
Jade Jackson
IV & The Strange Band
Evan Redsky
Logan Ryan Band
Alison Self & The Lowsome Lows
Buffalo Kin
Presley Haile
Smoker Dad (After-Party)
Josh Crutchmer (Pre-Party)

Friday, June 28
Charley Crockett
Kaitlin Butts
Pony Bradshaw
Cat Clyde
Two Runner
The Droptines
Our Songs Are Alive with Acosia Red Elk
Samantha Crain
James Dean Kindle & His Country Combo
Ellis Bullard (After-Party)
Jeremy James Meyer (Pre-Party)

Saturday, June 29
Randy Rogers Band
Jason Boland & The Stragglers
Cody Canada & The Departed
Bella White
Colby Acuff
Emily Nenni
Aaron McDonnell
Lance Roark
Mac Cornish
William Surley & The Barroom Gospel Band (After-Party)
Slapjack Casualty (Pre-Party)

And if the music taking place across three stages inside the Happy Canyon Arena, the Jamboree is also hosting daily pre-party at Great Pacific and after-party performances downtown on Main Street outside of the Rainbow Café. These downtown shows are free to the public to attend!
 
Held in Pendleton, whose motto is “the real West,” is a town where the best of western tradition and heritage lives on. It’s a community that embraces its history while also bringing in new traditions. And it’s not more than a ½ day’s drive from plenty of major cities in the Pacific Northwest.

The Jackalope Jamboree is truly a community-inclusive event for music fans of all ages. Yes, music is the focus but there are plenty of distractions, including this year’s craft beer sponsor, pFriem Family Brewers and its craft cider sponsor, Portland Cider Co. There will also be plenty of a domestic beer and non-alcoholic options such as kombucha and seltzer water from Hodgen Distributing and local wine available.

Also, new this year is the Jamboree’s “Food Court” , an area where all its food vendors will be located. Festivalgoers can also shop local merchant booths for a large selection of clothing, jewelry, art and more.

We attended for the first-time last year and had great time! The weather cooperated and music was great, just as expected. Pendleton has changed, but not too much, just enough that it’s a great escape from the city life.

When it comes to the festival itself, the grounds are nicely laid out. There’s not a bad seat at all. The large grandstand for the Hodgen Stage is in close proximity to the stage with plenty of seating options or a fun general admission are up front for standing and dancing. The Blue Mountain Stage is essentially the side stage with plenty of standing room with great sightlines and sound.

Jackalope Jamboree tickets can be purchased online or at the Pendleton Round-Up / Happy Canyon ticket office or day of show at the festival’s on-site box office. There are plenty of options including three-day passes beginning at $175, two-day passes beginning at $135 and single day passes from $60 – $80. Kids 12 & under are free with a paying adult (applies only to General Admission. Box and Reserved seats, kids must have a ticket). To purchase tickets in advance, CLICK HERE.

If you’re looking for a place to stay, there are still plenty of rooms available in the Pendleton area, including the city’s newest hotel, Radisson Hotel Pendleton Airport. For those staying near I-84, there’s a free hotel shuttle taking you to and from the Jamboree. It worked out just great last year for us.

Then there’s camping, The RV/Trailer lot is filling up and there are still a few tent spots left, all adjacent to the Happy Canyon Arena. And if you want to arrive to town early, camping check in can begin as early as Wednesday, June 26.

So grab your favorite western shirt and cowboy hat, and head on out to Pendleton for three days of great indie-country music while enjoying beers from pFriem Family Brewers and cider from Portland Cider Co.!

Happy Canyon Arena – 1114 SW Court Ave – Pendleton, OR