Free jammin’, campin’ sessions added to Djangofest

The Island County Fairgrounds Campground will be filled with music later this month.

And the public is invited.

The Fairgrounds Campground will be the host of Django Jammin’ & Camping for musicians arriving on Whidbey Island for DjangoFest Northwest Sept. 18-23, according to a press release.

New this year is space dedicated to daytime and late-night acoustic jamming in the “Caravan Field” of the campgrounds. Admission is free.

The Fairgrounds Campground offers affordable space for tent camping and RV hookups. The new “Caravan Field” location offers electricity and close proximity to restrooms and showers. In case of inclement weather, the “Caravan Field” is next to a historic barn to shelter the musicians and music-loving visitors.

Quiet camping is available in the Upper Campground as well.

Details about camping can be found at the Port of South Whidbey website, http://portofsouthwhidbey.com

Camping is on a first-come, first-served basis. The port requests Caravan campers to fill out the inquiry form online to assure campers of their electrical preferences. Payment is made at the time of arrival. Enter via Fairgrounds Road and Camano Avenue and follow the signs.

The “Caravan Field” is located within walking distance to DjangoFest Northwest gypsy-jazz festival, held at the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts and downtown Langley, where visitors will find musicians jamming in cafés, in garden nooks and restaurants throughout town.

This year marks the 18th year of the event, which has been called North America’s premier gypsy-jazz festival. Musicians from around the world gather to play the repertoire of guitarist and composer Django Reinhardt and to teach and learn from regional and global masters.

For tickets to DjangoFest visit www.django festnw.com.