events

The Cascade Equinox Festival, held from September 20-22, 2024, in Redmond, Oregon, was a vibrant celebration of community, music, and art. For the second year of the festival, held at the Deschutes Fairgrounds, we spent the weekend nestled in the beautiful high desert
overlooking the stunning views of the mountains.

The festival brought together an eclectic mix of artists, musicians, and attendees seeking to mark the transition of summer into fall with dance, creativity, and connection.

This year’s event featured an impressive lineup that brought festivalgoers from all over the country. From CLOZEE throwing it down on the mainstage Friday night, to STS9 and Liquid
Stranger headlining Saturday and no better way to end the weekend on Sunday night with the performance of a lifetime by JUNGLE that got the crowed moving and grooving. We also really enjoyed Marc Rebillets set, which was very interactive with the crowd, totems, and the environment.

Something we saw a huge difference in this year compared to last year was the implementation of more areas around the festival to explore with friends. From a pop up DJ cart in front of Cosmic Drip at midnight, to a roller rink inside one of the barns, to swings at the Grove – we were pleasantly surprised with how many additions there were to the festival grounds.

Cascade also brought many Immersive art installations throughout the grounds, engaging attendees with interactive and sensory experiences that merged enlightenment and creativity. Workshops and wellness sessions offered a space for personal growth and reflection, from yoga
and meditation to talks on sustainability. Families were welcomed with kid-friendly zones, while food vendors provided a variety of delicious foods. We personally loved Dump City and went every day of the festival – no better way to warm up those 40 degree nights than with dumplings!

As the sun set on this year’s festival, attendees left not only with memories of a weekend full of music and art but also a renewed sense of community and connection within themselves. With how much we saw added to this year, we can only see potential for growth for this special festival in Central Oregon and can’t wait for the future.

Photos by Megan Dirksen, Article by Aly Martin