Oregon: Boomfest has new site; large crowd expected

News Editor
news@presspublications.com

If the weather is good, Oregon mayor Mike Seferian projects the crowd at Boomfest’24 could reach 10,000.
This year the popular event in which the city celebrates Independence Day will be held July 13 from 2 p.m. to midnight at the rear parking lot of the Dunn Chevy dealership, 3000 Dustin Rd.
The entertainment headliner will be Steve Augeri, former lead vocalist for the rock band Journey. He is expected to take the stage around 8:30 p.m.
Live entertainment starts at 5 p.m. with the band Distant Cousinz opening. The Grape Smugglers will follow.
A fireworks display will start around dusk after Augeri’s performance and the JT Hayden Band will perform after the fireworks. Mayor Seferian said the National Anthem will be sung prior to the fireworks display,
The public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs for the display and musical performances.
Boomfest’24 will offer activities for all ages:
-Arts and crafts vendors
-Face painting
-Inflatable fun zone and inflatable obstacle course for children
-Eli the magician
-9-hole miniature golf
- Ten food trucks
The mayor said corn hole boards will also be available and those attending are free to organize competitions amongst friends.
“It’s all geared to making it an enjoyable experience for the people,” mayor Seferian said of the event.
Local mural artist Dean Davis, a Clay High School graduate, and three other artists, will be painting 8-foot by 8-foot murals of scenes from Boomfest.
“I’ve always been amazed by how Dean can bring a painting to life,” the mayor said.
“Anyone attending Boomfest this year will be able to watch him while he is working and will appreciate his talent.”
By having a musical performance after the fireworks display, only about half of the crowd will leave then, the mayor said, eliminating much of the traffic congestion that would otherwise occur.
Admission is free and free parking space will be available at the site of the former Kmart store on Navarre Avenue; at the Big Lots store along Navarre Avenue, and at St. Charles Hospital.
This year marks the first time Boomfest isn’t being held at Oak Shade Grove. The mayor said by the time he was able to book the musical acts and the stage and sound equipment, the Oak Shade grounds were already reserved by someone else on the day he was requesting.
Mayor Seferian said no more than $60,000 this year will be expended in city funds on Boomfest. As of last week, he had secured close to $45,000 in private sector donations.