WHAT’S PLAYING AROUND THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST SOUND CHECK 7 AUG. 24�31, 2022 Country music festival returns for the second year By Lisa Britton Go! Magazine LA GRANDE — The second-annual Eastern Oregon Country Music Festival is expanding to two nights this year, Aug. 26 and 27. Music starts at 6 p.m. each day at the Union County Fairgrounds, 3604 N. Second St. Friday features Ava Rowland, McKayla Marie, Wade Aylett and Robert Henry. Saturday’s lineup includes Rowland, Cheyenne West, Randy Woody and Ned LeDoux. “They’re really good,” organizer Aman- da Hampton said of the musicians. LeDoux is the son of late singer Chris LeDoux. “He has his dad’s original band,” Hamp- ton said. “He sings his dad’s songs, and some of his own.” Tickets are available through the website, eocountrymusicfest.com. Prices are $43.35 for a single night of music, or $80.11 for both Friday and Saturday. Tickets at the gate are $40. Admission is free for youth ages 12 and younger. Food and beverages, along with other vendors, will be set up at the fairgrounds. And Hampton is already planning for 2023. “I want to lock in my headliner by the end of this year,” she said. Stay updated by visiting the website, eocountrymusicfest.com. SEMI-TRUCK SHOW This year’s music festival will also fea- ture a Semi-Truck Show that is free with the purchase of a concert ticket. “It’s just like a car show,” Hampton said. Concert-goers can wander through the trucks throughout the festival, and Saturday night features a light show after the music. Those who want to enter the truck show can register for Saturday only ($60) or Friday and Saturday ($100). Entry includes tickets to the music festival. To enter, call 541-910-0439 or email amanda@eocountrymusicfest.com. BLUE MOUNTAIN RANCH RODEO Prior to the music, the Blue Mountain Ranch Rodeo is happening both days at Maverick’s Riding Club, 3608 N. Second St. (right next to the fairgrounds). Admis- sion is $10 at the gate. This is a “ride in” rodeo, so participants can sign up each day at 8 a.m. Friday features muley roping, team doctoring and load and tie. Saturday’s events are mixed team branding, open team branding and bronc riding. For information on the rodeo, call 541-379-0675. 2006 4th St. La Grande, OR 97850 541-962-1339 LIBRARY HOURS: Monday - Friday 10:00am - 6:00pm Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm www.cookmemoriallibrary.org www.facebook.com/NedLeDoux Ned LeDoux plays Saturday, Aug. 27, at the Eastern Oregon Country Music Festival in La Grande. Shop Local, Grow Your Heritage 138 SE Court St. Tuesday - Saturday 10 AM - 4 PM