Art in its various forms -- some
raucous, meditative or soothing in
the medium of music; some vibrant
or provocative in painting and sculp-
ture using many materials -- abounds
in what is becoming a haven for arti-
sans.
From O’Brien on the south to
Selma on the north, with its other
environs here and there and in-
between, Southwestern Oregon’s
Illinois Valley contains a major vein
of artists and craftsmen of many
stripes.
Some of the valley’s art appears
in the form of music. For example,
the 2008 Siskiyou Bluegrass Festi-
val, sponsored by Illinois Valley
Chamber of Commerce at Lake Sel-
mac in Selma, will feature six
groups well-known for their pickin’
and kickin’ Bluegrass tunes.
This event includes food, soft
drinks, beer and wine available from
vendors.
Then there’s the annual cham-
ber-sponsored Concerts in the Park
summer series. It generally runs
weekly from June through July; the
schedule is announced in Illinois
Valley News, the weekly newspaper
that primarily covers the valley. The
schedule also is available from the
chamber office in the I.V. Visitor
Center.
Offering varied types of music,
the concerts are held in Jubilee Park
in the city of Cave Junction.
Continued on page 22
Internationally acclaimed
Out ‘N’ About Treesort offers “a
playground as big as all out-
doors.” Kids young and old can
learn what it takes to climb tow-
ering Douglas fir trees in a super-
vised ropes course. Once you
reach the top, take to the air,
harnessed to more than a mile of
high-flying zip line. Sail through
the forest canopy or across open
meadow, at speeds approaching
30 mph. Or buckle in for an ex-
hilarating 50-foot drop on the
Tarzan rope swing.
Out ‘N’ About also offers
horseback riding to suit every
experience level. Hikers, too, can
access miles of trail on Forest
Service land nearby. Cool off and
unwind with a dip in a rock-lined,
river-fed pool.
Phone ahead for ropes-course
and zip-line times, or to arrange a
trail ride or treehouse tour.
Valley Visitor
17