Doe Bay Fest is just around the corner: Aug. 6 through 9.

Coordinator Jami Mitchell affectionately calls it “the little festival that could,” since it almost immediately gathered steam to go from a small happening in 2008 to become one of the most popular music festivals in the Pacific Northwest.

Doe Bay Fest is now in its eighth year and has grown in popularity among bands and music fans alike. It hasn’t grown in size, however, since it is limited by the natural capacities of the land, parking and facilities of host Doe Bay Resort and Retreat.

Capping attendance at about 1,000 people, Doe Bay Resort is happy to keep the event an intimate affair compared to other big name music festivals.  The relatively small number of tickets does lead to an almost instantaneous sell-out every year, which has historically made it difficult for locals living on Orcas to get tickets to the event.

A great way for local islanders to get in the door is by volunteering for the popular event.  By work-trading some time setting up the festival or cleaning up afterwards, locals can get a free ticket to the whole affair.  To sign up to volunteer on exchange for a free ticket, email Heather Watts at doebayfestvolunteers@gmail.com.

For locals interested in purchasing tickets, Doe Bay has set aside some tickets for locals, available only to people that have some place else to sleep on Orcas besides Doe Bay Resort itself.

“We are sold out as always, and we really appreciate the support of our Orcas friends and neighbors,” says resort owner Joe Brotherton.  “We actively encourage attendees to support our local economy, and we hope locals can also come out and enjoy Doe Bay Fest.”

Orcas residents that want to buy tickets for Doe Bay Fest should email coordinator Jami Mitchell via jami@doebay.com or call the front desk of the resort at 376-2291.  Tickets sold for $135 each but are just $95 for Orcas locals for the four days of music, and children 12 and under are free of charge.

“It’s very family friendly, with activities for kids, numerous local food vendors, and of course plenty of live music,” says Mitchell.

The resort encourages car pooling, as parking is a limited and they do not allow any on-street parking for the event.

“Our sheriff’s deputies do a great job supporting a safe festival, and we ask you help them and our neighbors by parking appropriately in designated parking areas, and please car pool,” says Brotherton.

To attend, Mitchell insists locals please plan ahead as the resort does not expect to have any tickets available for purchase during the event.

Wristbands are required to be on the property, including eating in the Doe Bay Café, during the festival dates of August 6-9.

For more information, contact Jami Mitchell at jami@doebay.com or call the Doe Bay front desk at 376-2291.