As the crisp fall air ushers in a quieter season, islanders are invited to gather on a historic farm to boogie the night away.

Three years ago, Jen and Chris Walsh opened up their property for live music, food and dancing. They had no idea what to expect for the first annual Hoedown at the Hangar, but 400 people showed up.

“It’s been a super fun party. It is neighbors coming together after we get the island back,” Jen said.

This year’s dance party is on Saturday, Sept. 6, beginning at 2 p.m. on Slanted Apple Lane. The headlining band is Best of Both Worlds, a Van Halen tribute group. Opening the festivities are local kids, followed by glam folk group Champagne Sunday and outlaw country queen Darci Carlson. The Best of Both Worlds features two sets: one with Eddie Van Halen tunes and one with Sammy Hagar hits.

“It’s always fun to end it with a hair band,” laughed Jen.

The music happens on a custom-built stage at the farm’s historical grass airstrip, made in the 1950s by Bob Schoen. Following the three bands, attendees are invited to an after-party in the Hangar Bar featuring local group The Studs.

All proceeds from the Hoedown will go to the Orcas Community Resource Center, Orcas Island Children’s House, Orcas Wrestling and Sail Orcas. Last year, it raised $6,000. Tickets are $20, and parking is $7. Food vendors include: Johanna’s, pizzas by Ryan Carpenter, Shawna Hanan’s sandwiches and cookie vendor GIRLnDOG from Anacortes. For those interested in imbibing, there is beer, wine and cider as well as mocktails. It’s a fully plastic-free event, steel pint glasses are available for purchase, and dogs are welcome. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.slantedapplefarm.com.

In 2015, Jen and Chris bought 54 acres and began lovingly restoring the property to its former glory. They replanted the historic orchard from the late 1800s in the same grid — hence their new land’s name, Slanted Apple Farm.

When Jen’s brother John, a longtime music venue owner in Portland, first saw the farm, he envisioned the performing possibilities.

“The minute he drove onto my property, he was like, ‘Oh my god, we have to do bands here!” Jen recalled. “So then began seven years of property clearing. We started by being on the farm tour with our pumpkin patch, cider press and some music. Then we built a stage and offered the first hoe down in 2023.”

Jen and her brother booked a few off-island bands, offered beer and wine, invited food vendors and had young island musicians open the show, and planned to donate all proceeds after expenses to local charities. To their surprise, hundreds of revelers poured in, and it became a budding island fall tradition.

“It felt magical. I stood on the stage to introduce some of the kid performers, and there were so many people! It made me really happy to watch the sun setting, with the disco ball up and people, from littles to seniors, dancing.”