Not much happens in Happy Valley. Perhaps that's one of the things that makes it happy. However, the one thing that does happen, is the best American roots and indie music festivals on the face of the planet. It's called Pickathon. Let me tell you, I've shot countless concerts and music festivals ranging from U2 to Willie Nelson. I can tell you this is the most generous, most laid back, photo friendliest, musician friendly, kid friendly, beer loving, camping friendly event of any kind I've ever covered. There's a refreshing lack of rules even while there's hundreds of volunteers on hand to enforce the ones they do have. The volunteers really just try to be helpful. It's only about a half mile from my house. I can hear it from by deck. I rode my motorcycle down there and parked next the back stage. Best yet, all my favorite people are there. Photographers Tim Labarge, Torsten Kjellstrand, Jamie Francis, Tom Patterson, Faith Cathcart, Ian Malkasian, all cover it for PIckathon. With Tim LaBarge large and in charge, they do a great job. This year I covered it for The Oregonian. This is what I saw.