The rural mountain community of Summit will come alive with music, art and celebration on Saturday as the annual Summit Summer Festival returns for another day of free family fun from 11 a.m. into the evening.
This year’s festival promises a packed schedule of live music featuring nine acts, including Marshal Adams (11 a.m.), Road Sodas (noon), Karl Smiley and Vicki Wolf (12:50 p.m.), Ernie Shuyler (1:45 p.m.), Chester Drawers (1:55 p.m.), Big Fir (3:20 p.m.), DTW (6:30 p.m.), Melanie Reid (8:30 p.m.) and The New Mistakes (9 p.m.).
Other main stage performances include the Sunrise Dance by Serena (12:40 p.m.) and drumming led by Michelle Lovrich (5:50 p.m.).
Festival-goers can enjoy a variety of community activities throughout the day. A watermelon-eating contest scheduled for 3 p.m. will feature youth and adults in a juicy competition, while a pie and cake auction at 4:45 p.m. promises delicious treats and spirited bidding.
One of the day’s highlights will be a second-line style parade at 5:30 p.m., led by DTW with full audience participation, bringing the community together in a celebratory march. The festivities will also feature craft booths, food vendors, an art show and a silent auction.
The Summit Star Quilters, active since 1972, will once again raffle off a handmade quilt, which will be on display in the Summit Community Center. Tickets will be available for purchase on site.
Attendees can also purchase limited-edition T-shirts featuring this year’s poster art created by 95-year-old local artist Earl Newman.
The festival serves as the major fundraiser for Summit Community Education Outreach, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to graduating high school seniors and supports the Summit Center, a free community space.
Organizers remind attendees that while admission is free and all ages are welcome, dogs and alcohol are not permitted at the festival. Given the dry conditions this summer, festival-goers are encouraged to be fire conscious. Attendees should bring their own drinking water and snacks.
To reach the Summit Summer Festival, take Highway 20 west from Philomath, turn right onto Summit Highway (U.S. Highway 180), and follow the road to Summit.