4 Peaks Festival Information
It all started with a simple question. Who knew a seemingly innocuous query could lead to all of this? It only took a short conversation and we were well on our way.
“Do you have any interest in putting on a small backyard music festival at my house in Bend?” asked original 4 Peaks partner Eric Walton.
I quickly let my mind wander to the future, said, “yes,” and a small-scale music festival was born. However, the vision only stayed small for about a month, until three more music-loving partners jumped on board. Each had dreams – mirroring my own – of creating a larger festival on a local property that would rival any festival venue. Soon, we couldn’t contain ourselves. We knew the 4 Peaks Music Festival was exactly what Bend, Oregon needed for its economy, music scene, arts scene, and families. And, it was what we needed.
Before we knew it, we had 40 acres, fifteen bands, two stages, tents, food vendors, craft vendors, a kids area, hula hoops and a huge parking area with RV’s, tent cities, as well as miles of smiles to go with it all. We named it the 4 Peaks Music Festival after the towering Cascade Mountain views surround the Tumalo property. Summer Solstice weekend seemed appropriate for the get-together.
The first couple of years we managed to weather the economic storm that gripped the nation. Festivals began closing throughout the world. All of my original partners left town to pursue other careers. We took one year off to regroup, and I ended up taking over the entire festival. I decided to keep the festival going, albeit on a smaller scale, until the economy picked up again. By 2012, the festival grew back to its mass gathering status. Families and festivarians flocked back from across the region, the Western United States, and even Canada and New York, to attend 4 Peaks. It was in that year that it was truly evident that this town thrives, in part, because of a music festival of this nature.
4 Peaks has been a continually evolving festival and as we grow, we strive to keep the festival experience as intimate and friendly as possible. Our festival strives to bring great national, regional and local acts to Central Oregon and create a community of artists and attendees that will last throughout the years. We have hosted such bands as Railroad Earth, Jackie Greene, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Robben Ford, The Jeff Austin Band, Poor Man’s Whiskey, Dumpstaphunk, Carolyn Wonderland, Greensky Bluegrass, March Fourth Marching Band, The Mother Hips, Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers, and Fruition. The list of talented musicians to grace our stage goes on and will keep growing with each year.
The 4 Peaks Music Festival was born as a musical vision of four friends. We had the desire to bring great music and a festival vibe to Bend, Oregon. It is our small staff and volunteer army that pursue this labor of love. Our festival strives to bring great national, regional and local acts to Central Oregon and create a community of artists and attendees that will last throughout the years. The stage is set for another intimate musical experience for you and your friends.
I see you here!
The 4 Peaks Experience
Cascade Mountain Stage – The 4 Peaks Cascade Mountain Stage showcases some of the top bands in the country! As the main focal point to the festival, the Cascade Mountain Stage draws the largest crowds and includes a picturesque Cascade Mountains view.
Lava Rock Stage – The 4 Peaks Lava Rock Stage is our 2nd largest stage and home to a variety of bands and events. In addition to morning yoga, kids recitals, and Silent Disco, the Lava Rock Stage has provided some classic moments in 4 Peaks history, including Ron Artis II’s smoking 2017 set or Jackie Greene’s 2016 rainstorm set.
Junction Area – The 4 Peaks Junction Stage, sponsored by Happy Campers RV Rentals and Beaver Coaches, is set amongst the campers. In 2019, look for opportunities for campground jams and other acoustic performances from our invited bands. This newly-expanded area will also include tee-pees, food, coffee & tea, and games. And, keep an eye out for special performances as well.
Kidlandia – Kids who have attended 4 Peaks in the past—and those who have heard the rumors—know all about Kidlandia. Throughout the weekend, be on the lookout for ukulele and drumming workshops, t-shirt and musical instrument making, as well as other crafting. Performers on the Kidlandia stage include local child singer/songwriters, childrens music performers, jugglers, Capoeira teachers, and more. Activities happening all weekend include lawn games, a coloring book table, a large weaving loom, corn pool, library, table board games and more.
Camping – 4 Peaks is known for its wide open, grassy camping. Check out 4 Peaks GoWesty Area. Located near the Junction Area, the GoWesty Area is a place for VW folks to camp together. Driving a VW Bus, Vanagon, or Eurovan and interested in joining your fellow VW campers? Sign up for the GoWesty camp!
Luxury Yurts – If you are tired of bringing all your camp gear and want to eliminate the hassles of setting everything up, try a Luxury Yurt. Packages include 2 Weekend Festival Passes and a Vehicle Impact Fee, a premiere camping position overlooking the venue, and festival “swag.”
Yoga – Leading our morning yoga again this year is Nicole Baumann. Nicole is a teacher and studio manager at Bend’s Yoga Lab. Nicole’s classes are a grounded blend of thoughtful sequencing, mindful alignment, lovingly-crafted playlists, and elements inspired by the teachings of yoga. She is an RYT 500 with the Yoga Alliance® and a graduate of The Yoga Lab’s 200-Hour and 300-Hour Vinyasa and Hatha Teacher Trainings.
Silent Disco – Back by popular demand is the late night Silent Disco. Taking the saying ‘march to the beat of your own drum’ to a new level, the Silent Disco allows last night revelers to dance to their own music, while in the company of others. Using wireless headphones spend the evening in your own world…while in the company of others!
Food & Beverage – The talk this year centers around the addition of the Cascade Bar, thanks to our friends at Worthy Brewing and Cascade Alchemy. We partner with many of Bend’s world-renowned breweries, wineries, and distillers to bring 4 Peaks guests a selection of beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. To satisfy your hunger, 4 Peaks has put together a wide array of eats for adults and kids. Of course, El Sancho will be back to fill patrons with tacos, and Bend Pizza Cart & Addy Macs Ice Cream will keep the kids (and adults) happy.
Vendors – As always, 4 Peaks will have a variety of vendors for you to do some festival shopping.
Cascade Mountain Stage
The 4 Peaks Cascade Mountain Stage showcases some of the top bands in the country! As the main focal point to the festival, the Cascade Mountain Stage draws the largest crowds and includes a picturesque Cascade Mountains view. Look for headliners, such as Moe., Railroad Earth, Greensky Bluegrass, and Rusted Root…to name a few.
Lava Rock Stage
The 4 Peaks Lava Rock Stage is our 2nd largest stage and home to a variety of bands and events. In addition to morning yoga, kids recitals, and silent disco, the Lava Rock Stage has provided some classic moments in 4 Peaks history. Remember Ron Artis II’s smoking set in 2017? Or, any of Poor Man’s Whiskey’s late night sets. Or, when the covered Lava Rock Stage saved us all from a rainstorm while Jackie Greene tore through his memorable set?
Kidlandia
4 Peaks’ Kidlandia is obviously the kids’ favorite. Kidlandia offers arts and crafts, games, and plenty of demonstrations aimed to keep the kids happy. The small stage in Kidlandia has seen many children’s performers play for our little festivarians.
Kidlandia is cool.
Junction Area
The 4 Peaks Junction Stage is set amongst the campers. This low key area was born in 2017 and has a much bigger role set for 2018. Remember Jambase recording Poor Man’s Whiskey and Lebo in 2017? In 2019, look for opportunities for campground jams and other acoustic performances from our invited bands.
4 Peaks is locate on the Stevenson Ranch in Bend, Oregon
Just a Quick Reminder
Everyone needs a Weekend Pass to enter the festival grounds. “Camping” means primitive tent & car camping. Please purchase an RV or yurt pass if you desire to upgrade. Parking for passenger vehicle is included with your Weekend Pass, but a RV Pass or Small RV Pass is required for all RVs and campers-in-tow.