An annual tradition for families, friends and musicians, Buttermilk Jamboree has built a strong sense of community through music, workshops and collaborative jams. Recap, photos, video.
On-Stage Passion Amid a Family Affair: Molly on stage Friday during Buttermilk Jamboree. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
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Friday evening in Delton unfurled as the perfect example of the ways musical traditions are passed down from generation to generation.
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Under sunny skies and pleasant temperatures, the grounds of Circles Pines Center buzzed with first-day festival excitement from those who wait all year to come back to the Buttermilk Jamboree.
It’s hard not to take notice of the number of children present at this family-focused festival and, thanks to this early exposure to live music, many of them have already taken the leap into learning an instrument.
A low-key Waltz Hour at the Apple Chapel hosted by Bruce and Becca Ling of Hawks & Owls allowed attendees to either dance or jam along to string-band tunes.
“We had a mother playing mandolin next to me and her 11-year-old daughter with a guitar, just starting out,” said Bruce Ling, “We’re doing this generational thing and you see that around here. Younger people playing with older people during jam sessions and things like that.”
Perfect Conditions: Buttermilk Jamboree opened under sunny skies. (Photo/Local Spins)
He attributed the “community vibe” of the festival to the many types of workshops offered that allow festival attendees to meet other people and jam with experienced musicians. Buttermilk Jamboree in particular offers plenty of opportunities for jamming and honing your craft with the Acoustic Jam Tent being completely dedicated to sing-alongs and jam sessions throughout the entire weekend.
Today (Saturday), Hawks & Owls will play the Garden Stage at 2 p.m., host an Old-Time Contra Dance at the Sugar Bush Stage at 4 p.m., and host a Slow Jam at the Acoustic Jam Tent at 6 p.m.
This generational progression isn’t just present in these beginner jam sessions and children experimenting with new instruments; it’s also present in the lineup of the festival itself.
Bluegrass group Bluewater Ramblers, who treated the Garden Stage crowd to classic covers by John Prine and The Byrds as well as their original material, referred to themselves as a “two-generation band” with the addition of violist Connor Meston to the group.
The group emphasized the fact that festivals like this one play a vital role in continuing to pass along old-time folk songs with lyrics that are still relevant and applicable today.
And on the very same stage just a few hours later, up-and-coming teen bluegrass band Mitten Pickers took the stage with their impressive musical chemistry, effortlessly covering intricate tunes by bluegrass/newgrass legends like Billy Strings and Sam Bush. The members could later be seen in the crowd dancing along to Michigan bluegrass favorite Mark Lavengood’s performance.
While Buttermilk Jamboree leans heavily on bluegrass and Americana music, festivalgoers welcomed full-band funk sets by the Mainstays and The All American Funk Parade by packing the dance floor and donning their finest light-up and glow-in-the-dark attire as the sun began to set.
Demonstrating yet another side of the Buttermilk Jamboree lineup, Jive at Five and Great Lakes Brass added jazz, swing and some New Orleans-style flavor to the array of sounds that the all-ages crowd could enjoy throughout the evening.
The Buttermilk Jamboree traditions continue throughout Saturday and Sunday with plenty of performances and workshops still to come. View the schedules below, with two-day and one-day ticket information here.
VIDEO: Buttermilk Jamboree 2026, Day 1 Highlights
PHOTO GALLERY: Buttermilk Jamboree at Circle Pines Center (Day 1)
Photos by Derek Ketchum
SATURDAY/SUNDAY SCHEDULES: BUTTERMILK
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