Welcome to the true count down to summer. Now if you are like me, then you have spent the winter dreaming about the festival season the friends that you will see and the music that just might melt your mind, change your life and give you a whole new path. Michigan offers many festivals and celebrations across this state that are distinctly Michigan. From Beer, to Bavaria, from film to fish, from Medieval to Mushrooms, Michigan celebrates it all with its pure Michigan style. For most of you reading this article, events like Ann Arbor’s Hash Bash and the High Time’s Cannabis Cup will be the crowning events on a season of summer fun, however, if you are like me and that is just not enough for you, I encourage you to dive into the wealth of awesome 3-day music festivals that Michigan has to offer.
When I say 3-day music festival, many of you think Woodstock, and ok that element does exist, but the scope of the three-day music festival is so much more and celebrates more than that. For those of you who have bought tickets to Rothbury’s EF and to Summer Camp, I think that you will have a great time, but I invite you to look beyond the big acts and money spending, and try small festivals that celebrate something different, say bluegrass, community, the environment, and or whatever else you make like. If you would never go to a big festival, pick a small one, but check it out, take your family and have great time!
When setting out to experience a festival for the first time, I recommend always reading the information and questions part of the website. Tips, rules and what to bring are usually there. The volunteers and staff want you to be successful on your festival journey, so please read the website. If you are like me, you just can’t wait for June to get out into the festival world, I have listed some interesting city festivals and early bird shows in Ohio that are guaranteed to scratch your festi itch until summer arrives!
April:
HASH BASH, April 2, 2016- Ann Arbor Michigan
Come out and celebrate at an original! Hash Bash is a staple of our community and many of us mark it as the beginning of spring! Come out and support the Cannabis Community as they fight for the right to grow and treat patients!
Earlybird Gathering Nelson Ledgers Quarry Park April 28 to May 1st 2016
For those of use who truly know, Nelson Ledges truly is heaven on earth. If you love camping, swimming, music and love then a trip to Nelson is for you. This is their first event of the summer, a kick off so to speak. Come on out and re-open the park and help make 2016 the best year yet! It always promises to be a great weekend with old and new friends. Swimming in the quarry, yoga on the beach and fire spinning under the moon are just a few of the things that you can do in peak season at NLQP. So check out all their festivals and events at www.nlqp.com
May:
Empire Asparagus Festival May 19-21, 2016 Empire, Michigan
Asparagus and music! Enough said! For more information check out the Empire’s chamber of commerce website closer to the date.
The Bluegrass Gathering May 19-21 2016, Hart, Michigan
Held at the Hat Fairgrounds, this is an early music festival with a focus on the traditional Bluegrass scene. Offering Attendees fun, whether there is rain or shine, this event features bluegrass acts from around the country as well as Michigan. It offers a 12 to 1 am event schedule both Friday and Saturday. Attendees have the option of rustic camping as well as hotel accommodations. www.bluegrassgathering.org
Hookahville, May 19-22, 2016 Nelson Ledges Quarry Park, Nelson, Ohio
Spring Hookahville, back where the sun never sets… If you have a soft spot for Ekoostic Hookah then a trip to Ohio for this get even just might be in the cards for you. This will be a great show with awesome activities for everyone. The line up for a hookah show usually has a wide variety of good jam bands to love, so if you like early festivals then this is definitely one not to miss. Tickets available at: www.nlqp.com
Movement May 28-30, 2016 Hart Plaza, Detroit, Mi
This is an electronic music festival in the heart of the city of Detroit. Now if you are like me and just can’t wait for it to warm up to go out and hear some good music this might be worth checking out. Vendors and DJs take over Hart Plaza in the heart of Detroit as Detroit shows the world what the heart of the electronic music scene is all about. www.movement.us
June:
Nor’Eastr June 10, 11, 12 2016 Mio, Michigan
Named for a storm off the lake that comes from the northeast, this is a little festival that promises to keep the true festival lover going back to over and over again. Supporting local music and vendors, Nor’eastr offers the attendee dances, workshops, great local and state wide music, plus a craft show with artisan run workshops that can’t be beat. While it seems like a small show. there is more than enough to do to keep you wanting to come back to Mio for many years to come. Bring the family and come on out and celebrate what music means at Noreastr. For more information, please check out their website at www.noreastr.net.
Buttermilk Jamboree, June 10-12, 2016 Circle Pines Center, Delton Michigan
This is a great little festival to bring your kids and family to that celebrates local and midwestern music with great focus on family. It is held at a Kids Camp and is focused on providing music and art to enrich families’ lives. The funds from this event are used to help the camp continue to operate. This event has an excellent kids are and family focus. For more information, please check out: www.buttermilkjamboree.org.
Earthworks Family Gathering June 17-19 2016 Lake City Michigan
Looking for a great event to celebrate the ending of the school year! Look no farther than the family gathering held at Earthworks Harvest Farms in Lake City Michigan. Head on out to the farm with your family and celebrate childhood, Michigan music and the environment with your Earthworks family! Look for the dates at www.familyweekend.us!
July:
Bliss Fest Music Festival, July 8-10, 2016 Bliss Farms, Cross Village Michigan
Come on out and celebrate BLISS! This is one of the best times one can have a music festival. Great Music in abundance everywhere, fun workshops in the woods for those who look, new friends at every corner and wonderful craft show that is sure to bring you back again and again. Bliss boasts a little bliss for everyone. Bring your family and make a new one, Bliss has little something for every festival lover. More information at: www.blissfest.org
Michigan Glass Project July 24-26, 2016 Russell, Detroit Michigan
This is a celebration of music and art right in downtown Detroit. What makes it notable is that all the money raised is used to enrich students in Detroit lives with art. Michigan project glass brings glass blowers from all over the state (and country) to come together and celebrate glass and the art of glass for the weekend. Head by Drew Kupps of Urban Pheasant, this promises to be the best year of Michigan Project Glass yet. For more information about the event, check out their website at www.themichiganprojectglass.com.
Dunesville July 22-24, 2016 Lake Ann Michigan (tentatively)
Taking place in Lake Ann, Michigan on the no harm farm, this re-incarnation of the Dunegrass folk festival looks forward to another fun and community building year. This is a great show run by good people looking to support the local community. The music is always building and they are looking to build this into a festival that will last many years to come. Check out their website at www.dunesvillemusicfestival.com
August:
Farmfest August 14-16, 2016 Johannesburg, Michigan
Happening the second weekend in August, Farmfest is one festival that you don’t want to miss. Nestled in the hills of Johannesburg, just outside of Gaylord, Farmfest raises money for a local sustainable farm, while supporting the local Michigan music scene. With headliners like Seth and May and a donation ticket price of somewhere
around $80, Farmfest is affordable and fun offering an excellent kids area with playground and farm to table food.
www.farm-fest.com
**For more events, check next month’s issue of the MMM Report**
