Khyrs Jones, Executive Director of the Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce,
noted that the return of the chamber’s biggest annual fundraiser, the Music
Fair and Feast, has got people in the community talking, especially after two
years without the event. Not just about the live music or the kids' activities or
the food, but about getting out and seeing some familiar faces after two years
off due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“All I’ve heard is positive; everybody seems to be excited and ready for
something,” Jones said. “People use it to connect with people.”

The event runs from Thursday, July 7 through Saturday, July 9, in Sandy’s
Centennial Plaza, and draws approximately 40,000 people, with proceeds
going to the Chamber to support Sandy area businesses.

It kicks off on Thursday with Family Night from 5-11:30 p.m. and free
admission for all ages. The Rational Delusions will play from 7:30-11 p.m.
following the Sandy Mountain Festival Parade.

Friday’s music will feature Chris Carpenter & The Collective from 5:30-8:30
p.m. (admission fee is $7) and the Wil Kinky Trio from 9 p.m. until midnight.
Saturday will be Family Day from noon to 5 p.m. (free admission, with an
admission fee of $7 after 5 p.m.), with musical acts BBbluzemanband from 3-
5 p.m., Jimmy Russell’s Party City 2034 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. and Jennifer
Batten and Full Steam from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Jones noted that Carpenter will be a familiar face, as this will be the third time
he’s played at the event, while Batten is a local guitarist who played with
Michael Jackson as part of her career.

“We didn’t think we’d be able to get her, especially on a weekend night,”
Jones said.

Jones added that the past two years have been tight for the Chamber and that
they decided not to bring back the chili cookoff and kids’ bakeoff this year.
Instead, Ace Hardware and US World Class Taekwondo will offer family
activities from noon to 3 p.m. while Ria’s Bar will sponsor Bingo at 2 p.m. on
Saturday.

The event will also feature local food vendors, including barbeque and gyros,
signature cocktails and a beer and wine garden.

“We’re excited to support local food businesses,” Jones said.

Tickets ($7 general admission and $20 for a VIP package, including a
commemorative cup and three drink tickets) are required for Friday and
Saturday after 5 p.m. For more information on the event and the chamber, or
to purchase tickets, visit https://sandyoregonchamber.org.
A coupon for $2 off of Friday admission is available at the Sandy Les Schwab
Tires, 37895 Hwy. 26 in Sandy. Tickets are also available at Geren’s Farm and
Landscape Supply, Forrest Insurance Agency and Ace Heritage Hardware.

More July fun in Sandy
The Sandy Mountain Festival also returns to action this July after a two-year
hiatus, kicking off with the parade, starting at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 7,
running east on Pioneer Blvd. between Bluff Road and Wolf Drive.
Carnival rides, located behind the Dairy Queen, 17400 Beers Ave. in Sandy,
will run from 6 p.m. to close on Thursday, July 7 and noon to close from
Friday, July 8 to Sunday, July 10.

The festival's arts, vendors and live music will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, July 9 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 10 at Meinig Park in
Sandy, offering shopping, food and more.

For more information and to buy tickets for the carnival, visit
https://www.sandymountainfestival.org/.

And the City of Sandy 4th of July fireworks show will take place at dusk on
Monday, July 4 at Sandy High School, 37400 Bell Street in Sandy.
Parking is available at the school. For more info, visit www.ci.sandy.or.us.