What began as a small, grass-roots event started by a local mom has grown into an all-day music festival. River Jam 2026 returned this year with live music, a silent auction and a powerful mission: supporting the Wood County Co-op special education program.

The event is part of “The River Project,” founded about five years ago by local parent Jesse Worley, whose son River attends the co-op program.

“We started by selling T-shirts,” Jesse said. “At first, we even hosted a mudding event in Mineola. But over the past three years, it’s grown into a full music festival.”

Though the type of event has changed over the past few years, the goal has remained the same — giving back to a program that has made a life-changing impact on kids in the community. 

“My son has been there since he was three,” Worley explained. When he first began school at the co-op, “He made no eye contact and stayed in his own world. The teachers and staff brought him out of that. They’re angels. This is our way to say thank you.”

Funds raised from River Jam go directly to the Wood County Co-op, which serves students with a range of special needs. Early efforts helped transform the school’s sensory room from a largely empty space into a more functional and engaging environment for students.

“Back when we started, the sensory room was just a big room with a bounce house,” Jesse said. “Now we’re able to support not just improvements like that, but also the staff and teachers who do so much every day.”

The event continues to grow each year, drawing local and regional talent. This year’s lineup featured headliner Beau Phillips of Oklahoma, along with Jackson Snelling — a former contestant on The Voice and an autistic performer who travels from Indiana to take part in the event.

In addition to live music, River Jam includes a silent auction made possible by donations from local businesses and community members. Proceeds help ensure that all students at the Co-op — not just those with autism — benefit from enhanced resources and support.

While organizers hope to expand the nonprofit in the future, for now the focus remains close to home.

“We just want to support our local community,” Worley said. “That’s what this is all about.”