History

In August, 2006, Gillette College began an annual summer tradition when we hosted the first Donkey Creek Concert. Held on the College lawn near the banks of Donkey Creek, that first concert included only one band and an audience of about 50 people. By 2010 that single concert had grown into a two day festival featuring two full days of music. The music, food vendors, artist booths, and other activities are enjoyed by thousands over the weekend.

The 2011 Donkey Creek Festival will continue the tradition. The audience can look forward to a wide variety of musical genres with jazz from the big band era, New Orleans jazz, avant garde jazz, and New York jazz as well as some blues, reggae, and more. There will be big bands and small combos, instrumental groups and vocalists. Both the City of Gillette and Gillette College are committed to keeping the Donkey Creek Jazz Festival an event the family can enjoy at no cost. Grants from the Campbell County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Campbell County Community Recreation Board are helping make that possible this year.