Oso festival dedicated to local couple who were killed

Published 1:30 am Monday, August 1, 2016

OSO — The free, two-day Oso River Rock Festival is back for its second year.

This year, the hours of music, dancing, food and drink are dedicated in memory of a local couple who brought joy to the festival last year, Patrick Shunn and Monique Patenaude. The two were shot and killed in April. Their deaths are being investigated as murders.

“We want to do something in their honor,” said Jana Hecla, owner of the Oso General Store. “They were here just dancing the night away last year. We’re going to miss them.”

During the festival, the store owner, who’s organizing the event, doesn’t want to focus everyone’s attention on the loss of friends. However, the people who love them should know that others will be thinking of them.

At least 10 bands are scheduled to perform this weekend in the field behind the general store on Highway 530. Friday night is all about acoustic performances, starting at 6 p.m. and continuing until 10:30 p.m. The line-up includes Burnt Breakfast, Ariela Bialek, Aaron Willsie and Flyrod.

Saturday is set to get livelier with an afternoon of rock’n’roll. A few of the Friday bands are expected to be joined by Ian Hale and the Legacy, The Super Tonix, The Rachel Wright Group, Klover Jane, Superfekta and Wyatt Olney &the Wreckage. Opening announcements are scheduled for 12:30 p.m. and the last band plays from 9:45 to 10:30 p.m. Each group plans to perform for 45 minutes to an hour.

The rock festival isn’t the only Oso event people can check out this weekend. Rhodes River Ranch at 22016 Entsminger Road is hosting its fourth annual car show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. People can spend the morning admiring cars or eating a lunch buffet, then dance through the afternoon and into the evening.

Food is available at both events. There are plans for a beer garden and a root beer garden at the music festival; a little something for parents and a little something for kids.

Additional information, including a full line-up of performances, is available online at the Oso River Rock Fest page on Facebook: facebook.com/OsoRiverRockFest.

Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.