Saturday, July 19, 2025
On the banks of the beautiful McKenzie River near Rainbow
Paella Fest returns to the Dusseau/McDeckelroy meadows in 2025 to bring together paella makers, paella lovers, and supporters of Food for Lane County
This will be the 18th year of helping people in the local community with issues of food insecurity while celebrating our passion for paella.
Picture yourself standing over a bubbling paella, taking in the exotic aromas, listening to fantastic live music, drinking a local microbrew or sipping a glass of wine and anticipating the incredible feast that awaits. Now picture this times thirty -- thirty pi pans all available for you to sample.
A Benefit for Food for Lane County
In an effort to tap into the Paella Passion for a greater good we will once again be soliciting donations for Food for Lane County. Paellaeras (makers) are donating their time and food; it is hoped that the rest of us will give generously. We suggest a donation of $50 per person, more if you can afford it, less if you are struggling. Cash, checks, or credit cards will all be accepted. No first born children or children of any order, please.
The Vision
Each person, or team, who chooses to be a paella maker brings everything they need to prepare their favorite rice dish of Spain out into the wide open spaces of nature. In addition, each paellaera invites enough friends to eat the equivalent of their paella. The result should be a critical mass of fun and celebration with everyone sharing tasty bites of their creations. This invitation is open to all paellaeras who possess creativity, poise, dashing good looks and a love of paella — or else just a passion for life and the ability to have a good time. If you would like to make a paella, please contact Don. Space is limited but we will do our best to accommodate all interested makers.
The Location and Driving Directions
To get to 54881 East King Road, take HWY 126 East from Eugene, and about 5 miles past the town of Blue River you will come to Blue Sky Market (which used to be Harbick’s Country Store). Turn right at the store onto Mill Creek Road and go to end of the road (about 200 yards). Turn right onto McKenzie River Drive and after ¼ mile there will be a covered bridge. Cross the bridge and turn left on King Rd. You are going east again. In less than ½ mile you will see a grass lot on the left followed by a gray house. You’re there! Look for signs informing you where to drop off your gear and where to park.
Camping
Due to the distance from town please consider pitching your tent or throwing down a sleeping bag under the stars, where you will sleep sweetly with a full belly and the soothing sounds of the river.
Timing, Directions and parking
Paellas should be ready to eat around 5:30, but visitors might want to come around 4 to see what's available in the silent auction, to visit, to scope out the various paellas and talk to the makers, and to enjoy music.
Paella Fest Is an Invitation Only Event: We are a small group of friends who gather in a private space with only a fixed amount of paella to go around. Attendance is by invitation only. If you would like to participate, you must seek out one of the makers for a personal invitation.
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Instructions for Paellaeras
Timing
- Arrival: Paellaeras may arrive and set up any time after 2:00 PM. Feel free to arrive early enough to enjoy a beer with your fellow paella makers.
- Cooking: You are the expert for your recipe. Begin when the time seems right.
- Eating: Please aim to have your paella complete and ready to eat as close to 5:30 as you can.
Items Provided
- Tables (each table can accommodate 3 paellaeras)
- Water (you may want to bring a receptacle to have water at your table)
- Cups for beverages (feel free to bring your own special goblet)
- Small plates and spoons for acquiring taste bud orgasms. Eating out of the pan is the tradition for paella, however to minimize the risk of soccorat theft, we are resorting to plates.
- portable toilets
Items Paelleras Should Bring
- All ingredients
- Paella Pan
- Burner and gas, or receptacle and fuel for charcoal or wood heat
- Utensils including SMALL serving spoon
- Dish towels and pot holders
- Beverages other than beer (and ice if needed)
- Chair
- Containers for taking home leftovers (yeah, right!)
You may want to label items as things tend to migrate around in the feeding frenzy.
Smokey says, "no ground fires, please"
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Tips for guests
Items Guests Should Bring
- Beverages other than beer (and ice if needed)
- Folding chair so you can relax, visit, eat, listen and enjoy the party
- Generous donation for Food for Lane County (suggested $50 per person)
Music
Music: Thanks to Steve Davis for arranging this year's musical lineup:
Char On Guitar
- Meadow Rue
- Missoula Flood
- Meadow Rue
Auction
The silent auction has become a popular and lucrative part of Paella Fest. If you have an item or service you would like to donate please contact Sue
