Robert Sarazin Blake has been bringing us Happy Hour music in the beer garden here at Boundary Bay Brewery on Thursdays all summer long, but this week you’re in for a special treat! This Thursday, Robert will be joined by Louis Ledford and Jefferson Hamer for the Subdued Stringband Jamboree Kickoff here in our beer garden!
The Subdued Stringband Jamboree takes place every August (28th and 29th this year) at the Deming Log Show Fairgrounds (click here for directions). It’s been voted Bellingham’s Best Festival by readers of the Cascadia Weekly and is known for bringing together incredible music and fun people in a family-friendly environment. The Subdued Stringband Jamboree makes sure that everyone feels welcome at this festival! There is music, music and more music throughout the weekend, plus workshops and even a slow jam on Saturday morning for those who are new to jamming or new to their instrument. There are kids activities all weekend long, a family square dance and even some mural painting! If you plan on spending more than an afternoon at the Jamboree, there are plenty of sleeping options: there are a small number of RV hookups for $10/night. Tent camping is $5/night. The site is a big meadow near the stage, with limited car camping spots along the fence. There are housed restroom facilities with sinks, and plenty of water spigots. For those who need a break from the jam session when it’s time to sleep, we have a ‘low volume’ camping area. If you don’t want to camp, or if you’d like to be in the Bellingham area longer, check out Mt. Baker Lodging. We’re proud to be sponsored by Mt. Baker Lodging, offering a variety of cabins, condos, and chalets just 15-20 minutes up the road (toward beautiful Mt. Baker!) from the festival.

photo by Jason Koski
The focus of the line-up and the festival has stayed consistent over the years. The line-up is still local bands with a few blow-ins to kick us in the pants. We now have a campground full of tents, guitars, coolers, and banjos surrounding two stages, creating two nights and a day of pickin’, singin’ and stompin’. Here is the list of musicians who are appearing at the 2009 Subdued Stringband Jamboree! Click on a name to visit the website of that artist or group.
- Barnum Jack
- Robert Sarazin Blake
- Flip Breskin
- Chuckanut Drive
- The Crow Quill Night Owls
- Gallus Brothers
- Grampa’s Geetars
- Jefferson Hamer
- Happy Valley Sluggers
- Hoss!!
- House of Tarab Duo w/ Ruby
- Brody Douglas Hunt
- Louis Ledford
- Librarians
- Lonesome Shack
- Dean Patrick Luce
- The Naked Hearts
- Petunia & The Vipers
- John Reischman & John Miller
- Shasta Bree Simmons
- Sour Mash Hug Band
- Aleah Springsnow
- Sweetheart of the Rodeo
- Whisky Swillers
- Larry Yes and the Ruckus