I’ve been to all Harefests except three.  This one was by far the best.  While the intimate feel of the earlier ones were great, the experience of Harefest 10 was phenomenal.

Jason Fellman and partners really know how to throw a festival.  The two stage addition was a great upgrade.  By the time one band hit their last chord, the band on the sister stage started their first note.  The way they were set up allowed you to basically see both from where ever you sat (however, most stood up by the stage to see their favorite tribute bands.)

Top notch performances.  Friendly people.  Excellent food and drink, and a very efficient bracelet tied to your credit or debit card system to purchase alcohol.

The crowd is always pleasant and made up of good people.  People who just want to enjoy the music, the atmosphere, and the other festival goers.  Case in point:  My friend lost her cell phone and it was turned in immediately to lost and found.  I left my purse and camera on my chair and felt 100% comfortable that it would be there every time I returned to my chair…and it was always where I left it.

My apple watch clocked over 13,000 steps every day, but everything was quite close.  The move to the Canby Fairgrounds allowed us to have real bathrooms, and the water tanker (used for drinking water and to douse our hair because it was so hot) was a lifesaver.  The merch was plentiful, the staff was so nice, I didn’t see one fight or argument, but I did see a lot of white turned red Oregonian skin.

There was a wedding, new friends, old friends, romances, dancing, comradery, opportunity to meet the band members, and it was just plain good for the soul.

While every band was GREAT, my favorites of the festival were (in order of appearance):

  • Notorious (Duran Duran)
  • 5150 (Van Halen/Sammy Hagar)
  • Appetite for Deception (Guns N’ Roses)
  • Grand Illusion (Styx)
  • Barracuda (Heart)
  • Glass of Hearts (Blondie)
  • Motorbreath (Metallica)
  • Grand Royale (Beastie Boys)
  • Stone in Love (Journey)

If you were there you know; if you weren’t…well, you missed a great weekend.

I highly recommend you put Harefest 11 on your calendar for 2023.

You can see more highlights of Harefest 10 at https://harefest.com/