ENGINEERING jiggle jam

The idea was born out of a backyard cookout, with hot dogs on the grill, kids cavorting in a jumpy house, and everyone’s favorite tunes tumbling out of a Jawbone: What if we could create a festival that kids would love, and that parents would enjoy just as much as the kids?

That’s when Jiggle Jam was born. And from 2008 through 2014, O’Neill served as the Founding Executive Director and Producer for what quickly became a much-loved annual family event. There were kid-friendly concerts by bands like They Might Be Giants, a garage band tent with real musical instruments and instructors, a School of Rock stage where kids big and small could rock out in front of an audience. There were inflatables, a creative, collaborative playground, and vendors serving PB&J’s, applesauce and milk (and wee glasses of fermented grape juice for mom and dad). Jiggle Jam’s low ticket prices were supported by more than $100,000 in annual sponsorships.