Between Sunriver and La Pine
DiamondStone Guest Lodges, 16693 Sprague Loop Late July
www.newberryevent.com
Launched in 2013, the Newberry Event Music and Art Festival to Defeat MS gathers an impressive lineup of outstanding musicians to a beautiful outdoors venue near Sunriver—and all for a great cause—to help fight
Newberry Event Music And Arts Festival To Defeat Ms – USA Festivals Photo Gallery
Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a mysterious neurological and autoimmune disease that damages brain and spinal cord nerve cells. Chronic, and typically progressive, the disease produces symptoms that may include numbness, speech impairment, blurred vision, severe fatigue, and disabled muscular coordination. It can keep people from moving. Gloria Watt has battled MS for more than thirty years, but she and her husband, Doug, say, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!”
So with the help of many Central Oregon business sponsors and volunteers, they created the nonprofit Newberry Event Music and Arts Festival specifically to raise awareness and research funds for this thus-far incurable disease. Net proceeds benefit the Oregon National Multiple Sclerosis Society. They’ve garnered great acclaim and a loyal following for this fantastic limited-attendance event that feels like a big private party.
Held on beautiful rural acreage, the festival features nearly two dozen live music acts, with some of the best talent from the Northwest and beyond, representing myriad genres—rock, blues, reggae, jazz, folk, and more.
Music plays from 10 am to 10 pm on two stages. The family-friendly event (kids under 12 get in free), has a country-fair atmosphere with many Pacific Northwest vendors selling a variety of handcrafted works. A silent auction of these products, plus sales from the great food vendors, local craft beers, Kombucha, distillery, and wine tasting, all help raise money for the cause. Over the years, the Newberry Event has featured such notable acts as Fishbone, Craig Chaquico, Riders in the Sky, and Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real. Buy tickets for the festival—and make a charitable donation—via the event website.
Tent camping in open fields or shady pines is free and encouraged so you don’t miss a thing. Limited RV sites are available. So if you’re looking to have a great time for a great cause, join the loving Newberry Event community: Multiple Sclerosis keeps people from moving; come rock out and dance for those who can’t.
