By Jennifer Moody
BROWNSVILLE - The Willamette Country Music Festival is offering a free three-day family pass to its 2009 concert to one Oregon military family.
This year's festival, the second annual, takes place Aug. 28-30 on the festival grounds three miles east of Brownsville.
Complete rules are available through the Oregon chapter of Operation Homefront, www.operationhomefront.net/oregon. Nominations can be sent via e-mail to oregon@operationhomefront.net, or through the postal service to 230 Ellsworth St., Albany, OR 97321. The deadline is Aug. 1 and the winner will be announced Aug. 14.
The nominated family must reside in Oregon, and have one parent in the household who is deployed with an Oregon unit or who is a recovering "Wounded Warrior," according to organizers. Winners are responsible for their own transportation, food and accommodations.
Karen Carver of Operation Homefront said she had been sending e-mails to businesses and organizations throughout the mid-valley to gather a list of discounts available to military families.
Festival organizer Warren Williamson contacted Carver, and the three-day pass offer grew out of their discussion, she said.
"I think what he's doing is amazing," she said. "We are just really excited about it."
This year's festival features Neal McCoy, Lonestar, Chris Young, Keith Anderson, Jason Michael Carroll, Cloverdayle, Rockie Lynne and Emerson Drive.
Ticket and camping information is available at the festival's website, www.WillametteCountryMusicFest.com, or through the box office at (541) 497-7588.