Cascade Equinox Festival 9.20 - 9.22.24

Deschutes County Fair Grounds
Redmond, OR

Words by Ryleigh Hutson
Photos by Alexander Cai Zettas

The second year of Cascade Equinox Festival was held at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond, Oregon. This year had its own unique blend of musical magic, with the event coordinators curating an unforgettable experience. The different styles of artists and genres of music invited to perform this year captured a similar essence as the inaugural event; exploratory, inclusive, and diverse within the Central Oregon music scene.

Cascade Equinox is a three-day camping music festival, attracting attendees to the experience of a  “A Festival Reimagined.” It seemed most attendees opted for the three-day camping pass to take full advantage of the festival fun. This year they offered single-day passes as well, which was a great way to open the event up for those who were unable to do the full three days. VIP tickets were also available with a private viewing area at the main stage. The entire event takes place around the autumnal equinox weekend of September 21st, meant to capture the significance of transition and balance between the light of day and the dark of night.

The festival had multiple stages with an exciting arrangement of artists and performers to explore within the three days. The main stage, Equinox Stage, was a favorite for many, especially with the incredible view of the Cascade Mountains in the distance. At this stage, we witnessed beautiful sunsets and ecstatic dancers celebrating the love for music and the joy of life. The main stage’s opening is where the party started with a set from Haäna. Then at sunset, Kitchen Dwellers hit the stage with the transition of night to day. The standout headliners who captivated us later on the first night were Dirtwire and Clozee. Dirtwire’s set brought the beats along with a wonderful live show featuring a native tribal woman who brought life to the audience. Clozee electrified the audience with her set. Incredible visuals, lasers, and bass that left everyone buzzing.

The second day at the Equinox stage was filled with good vibes and vibrant music. Opening on the autumnal equinox, we danced to the tunes of Free Creatures and jammed to the words of Deltron 3030.  We were then blessed by Poolside hitting the stage, they brought such a feel-good energy that had the entire crowd grooving. STS9 closed the main stage with a full two-hour set that brought the energy to a peak, the crowd couldn’t get enough. Electrifying guitar riffs, eye-capturing visuals, and a family feel from the band all brought the entire show together.

On Sunday, the festival felt like the perfect place to embrace the last moments of the summer sunshine. The attendees enjoyed a calmer Sunday as they explored the art, the shops, and the food. The Axis stage, located next to “Culinary Commons” and the “Nomadic Market,” was a spot for many mid-day as they enjoyed their food, with Heaven Zest and Stealhead playing in the courtyard. As the day progressed, acts such as Karina Rykma, Niel Frances Duo, Marc Rebillet, and Jungle closed out the Equinox Stage.

Cascade Equinox Festival is one you want to experience. There is a collective feeling about the festival, you know many communities came together to create it just by being there and witnessing the energy. This festival invites a sense of openness and inclusion, as well as an environment where it feels natural to explore the grounds and soak up every bit of it while you can. The special mix of artists gave this community beautiful experiences and joyful memories filled with great music… and lots of dancing!

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www.cascadeequinox.com