The Go Rounds, Legal Immigrants, Gasoline Gypsies, Political Lizard, Nicholas James & The Bandwagon and more are set to roll at Camp Blodgett. See the full schedule at Local Spins.
Returning Memorial Day Weekend: Buses by the Beach’s Bus Benefit. (Photo/Anna Sink)
For the 18th year, the Buses By The Beach Bus Benefit will bring music, family-friendly fun and Volkswagen buses to West Olive.
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
The longstanding Memorial Day weekend music festival kicks off the summer with three days of live music, including sets by Nicholas James & The Bandwagon, The Go Rounds, Roosevelt Diggs and many more on the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Caleb Waldvogel and Jenna Olson of Grand Rapids indie-folk/soft rock band Political Lizard “couldn’t be more excited to be playing at a festival that is so near and dear to our hearts.”
Save the schedule on your smartphone to take along.
“Buses by the Beach has been a longstanding tradition for some of our members. The inclusivity and friendliness of everyone involved keeps the festival going for generation after generation. There has always been a strong sense of community ingrained in the festival, and you don’t have to be a VW bus owner in order to be accepted by the community.”
Although the annual Bus Benefit makes its home at Camp Blodgett in West Olive — between Grand Haven and Holland — the event brings together dozens of VW bus owners from all over the United States and Canada for a weekend of music, games and friendship to kick off the summer.
“Being one of the greatest little festivals in Michigan, we enjoy kicking off the summer season with over 140 Volkswagen buses, and growing every year,” said Jon Shears, festival organizer and bassist for Roosevelt Diggs.
“This event is a gathering of all types of families and friends, bus or not, that gather for a common cause” — the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, a Grand Rapids-based non-profit which helps burn survivors from all over the United States. “Three nights of music and daily activities to keep you and your kids happy. We are good people doing good things for good people.”
While Thursday entry is restricted to VW bus pilots, other music fans are allowed to enter at 9 a.m. Friday and the festivities kick off at 7 p.m. with a full length set on the main stage from Political Lizard.
This year, the festival’s musical lineup will also welcome back to the main stage some familiar faces, such as Roosevelt Diggs, Fauxgrass and Nicholas James & The Bandwagon.
Newcomers to the Buses By The Beach stage include Kalamazoo psychedelic pop band The Go Rounds, blues rockers Deerfield Run, and Grand Haven bluegrass quartet Full Cord, along with several more. The Acoustic Woods Stage will begin Friday afternoon with 45-minute open jam sessions after each set.
Political Lizard. (Photo/Local Spins)
Day passes are available for $50, and weekend passes can still be purchased for $80 in advance, or $100 at the gate. Vehicle passes for non-VW Buses are $25. A Ropes and Rocks pass can also be purchased for $15 which allows access to the high rope course and the rock wall, both staffed by Outdoor Adventures Professionals. Tickets here.
Camping is rustic. The grounds feature wooded nature trails, Lake Michigan shoreline and miles of paved bike trails. Additional events include a community breakfast, yoga, pilates, children’s games, hula-hoop making, plus a raffle and silent auction of VW-related items.
Get more details online here.
And check out Local Spins coverage of Bus Benefit 2018.
Bus Benefit 2018 (Photo/Veronica Leigh Anderson)
Copyright 2019, Spins on Music LLC
