It takes some work to get there, but this annual, remote Michigan festival is always worth the trip and unique in its character. And this year’s festival survived devastating spring storm damage.
The Show Must Go On: Beaver Island Music Festival returns after cleaning up ice storm damage. (Photo/Kevin Lamb/This Is A Good Sound)
SCROLL DOWN FOR FESTIVAL ESSENTIALS, LINKS
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
It takes two hours by ferry from Charlevoix to get to Beaver Island — smack dab in the middle of northern Lake Michigan — but anyone who’s attended the Beaver Island Music Festival will attest that it’s well worth the trip to soak in this all-immersive experience.
And staging the 2025 edition taking place in a remote location Thursday through Saturday (July 17-19) proved to be a much bigger challenge and a more herculean task than ever before: a spring ice storm created havoc and extensive damage to the festival site.
Indeed, it’s the festival that almost didn’t happen — if not for volunteers who helped with cleanup, donations from a GoFundMe campaign and the tireless efforts of festival director Carol Burton and her husband, Dan.
“It may be a little different, but the show will go on,” Burton said of the annual music festival that’s taken place on the island for more than two decades, with 1,500 or so attendees making the trip for the event that rolls out with early attendees arriving Wednesday (July 16).
Felled Trees: The spring ice storm. (Courtesy Photo)
“The storm’s wrath left our festival grounds in peril, shrouded in a landscape of fallen trees and unsecured branches, posing significant safety hazards.”
The storm damaged festival buildings, picnic tables and the children’s playground, requiring extensive clearing of fallen trees by crews and volunteers “to ensure safe and functional facilities for artists, vendors and attendees.”
Despite the challenges of recovering from what was described by some residents as the worst storm in island history, the 2025 festival will roll out with a tantalizing mix of national and international acts (Carver Commodore, Katy Gullien & The Drive, South for Winter, Jonathan Plevyak) and regional favorites (The Whiskey Charmers, Birdie Country, The Real Ingredients, Nathan Walton & the Remedy, Heat Above, Distant Stars, G-Snacks and more).
Traverse City’s Chris “Wink” Winkelman — who returns to the island this week — has played the festival eight times, crediting the Burtons for their “incredible resilience and dedication this amazing event.”
Winkelman noted that he’s made “so many wonderful connections and experiences at this secluded place in paradise — too many to list. The grace of the islanders and the welcome is unmatched and makes all the experiences that much more memorable.”
Other returning performers also have raved about the cozy event, with Grand Rapids rock frontman Joe Bockheim praising “the intimacy and tranquility of the festival grounds” which allows attendees and bands to “reconnect” with nature.
Justin Perry, from the Traverse City-based G-Snacks, performing again at the 2025 festival, said it’s just “fun rockin’ out on an island in the middle of Lake Michigan.”
Of course, the musical escapade is a new one for bands such as Detroit’s Whiskey Charmers, who make their first appearance at the festival next week.
“Should be an adventure,” the band wrote in a message to Local Spins. “This is our first time. We are very excited.”
BEAVER ISLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL ESSENTIALS
The Whiskey Charmers (Courtesy Photo)
WHEN: Thursday-Saturday (July 17-19)
WHERE: Beaver Island in northern Lake Michigan
WEBSITE: https://bimf.net/
THE DRIVE (to Charlevoix for ferry or airway service):
177 miles (2 hours, 45 minutes) north of Grand Rapids
226 miles (3 hours, 23 minutes) north of Kalamazoo
269 miles (4 hours) northwest of Detroit
209 miles (3 hours, 17 minutes) northwest of Lansing
50 miles (1 hour) northeast of Traverse City
THE LINEUP: Carver Commodore, Katy Guillen & The Drive, Nathan Walton & The Remedy, Heat Above, Smilo & The Ghost, G–Snacks, Paul Lamb, Joe Bockheim, Dave Boutette & Kristi Lynn Davis, Omelette, Distant Stars, The Whiskey Charmer, The Real Ingredients, Jonathan Plevyak, Birdie Country, South for Winter, Audrey Dupuis. Get details at bimf.net.
QUOTE: “The land, the unmatched kindness and care of the curators (The Burtons), close interaction with fans and artists alike. The diversity of music that comes from all over, not just our beloved Mitten, all the wonderful kids-focused and family-forward style. I could really go on and on.” – Christopher “Wink” Winkelman
TICKETS: $175 for a three-day adult ticket; $135 for two-day adult ticket; $70 for one-day adult pass (discounts for teens/seniors); available online here. Children 12 and younger are free. Tickets include camping. In addition, festivalgoers need a ferry pass through Beaver Island Boat Co. or airway service via Island Airways.
Copyright 2025, Spins on Music LLC
