The storybook heroes and fantasy villains living at Enchanted Forest will be joined by a different crowd than the usual six-year olds on August 6th, when the amusement park becomes an indie music fantasyland.
“People are excited. They love the idea of returning to a place that has been special to the kids who have grown up in the area and see the music
that they love,” said Derek Boaz, media relations director of The Great Idea music festival.
Renowned bands and solo singer/songwriters will entertain from noon to 8 p.m. The first part of the show will feature acoustic acts all throughout the park followed by electric acts on three different stages after 5 p.m.
The great idea for this event stemmed from the minds of our local music scene and an invited guest. “Ghost to Falco, a one man band, was playing at the Space one night and he mentioned, ‘How come no one has thrown a music festival at Enchanted Forest?’” said Samuel McBride, one of the organizers of the event.
Doug Hoffman, who owns The Space and is also sponsoring the concert, contacted the venue and began working on the lineup and other aspects of the show with McBride and other volunteers.
“I’ve helped Doug out with shows from time to time, but this is the first time we’ve worked together on something this big so it’s really exciting,” said McBride. “It’s also bringing them some business, they’ll keep the park open while we invite our friends and our friends’ bands and bring a little bit of extra chaos; good chaos.”
He said Enchanted Forest is already a destination for many Portlanders, who have warmly welcomed The Great Idea. “Enchanted Forest is very unique. It’s like a little anomaly, a funny little amusement park in the middle of nowhere with a fun energy. It’s got a Portland hipster following. People were bouncing off the wall!” he said.
A lot of the bands featured are from Salem and some are from Portland with
Salem-born musicians, notably Typhoon, Wampire and Sons of Huns.
“We’re really excited about Typhoon ’cause they just came out with a new
album and it’s selling really well,” said McBride.
The band Phantom! will open the evening show. Other bands included in the
event are The Peculiar Pretzelmen, Reporter, Jettison Bend, the Caps, Skeletron, Lust Wagon, and of course, Ghost to Falco, among many other bands and lots of acoustic solo acts.
“We want to make The Great Idea an annual thing and at the pre-stages it’s already very successful,” said McBride. This year, alcohol will not be allowed, but Boaz said they’re working with Willamette Valley Vineyards to have a beer garden next year. They’re also already lining up next year’s music.
Tickets are $15 in advance, which includes admission to the park (but not rides), sold exclusively at Ranch Records, or $17 at the door. Regular park tickets are $9.95 for those over 13.
McBride said Portlanders who are planning on coming to the show should try to get their tickets at Ranch Records and experience Salem before heading out to the Forest.
“I’d encourage people from Portland to come down, buy a ticket and spend a night in Salem, have fun and do the whole Salem thing: catch a show at The Space, get some drinks at Pete’s Place, check out the parks, see plenty of familiar faces … enjoy the nightlife Salem has,” he said.
