Community Groups
The Olalla Bluegrass (&beyond) Festival began in 1992 when a small collection of local folks banded together to save our beloved local forest from being sold and developed into a 700-unit housing tract.
That heady victory convinced us we could also resurrect our slumbering Olalla Community Club and re-open and renovate our community hall.
We knew it would require hard work and money. Lots and lots of money.
So we decided to have a bluegrass festival to raise funds.
The rest, as they say, is more history.
The Festival is now in its 20th year. And the money we’ve raised with our little event has dug a well for the 105-year-old hall, repaired the building’s foundation, installed a spiffy new kitchen, repainted the place twice and replaced the roof. And we pay the upkeep and expenses every month.
Through the Community Club, the festival also contributes to our local PTA, scouts, 4-H, Little League, local music programs and food bank and we even help out needy families when we can.
On festival day we welcome display booths from many of these fine organizations. We also showcase some of the local groups that keep alive wonderful old time crafts like quilting, lace making, spinning and woodcarving, to name but a few. And of course, there’s also a booth where we proudly display our local history.
While you’re enjoying the music and the berry pie, take time to visit the community booths at the festival and say howdy to some of our favorite neighbors.