Taking place in the picturesque, uppermost corner of the Upper Peninsula, this year’s music festival boasts more than a dozen national touring acts. Get the lowdown at Local Spins.
Headlining in the Porkies: Jackie Venson (Photo/Ismael Quintanilla)
TICKET GIVEAWAY: The first person to email info@localspins.com with “PORKIES FEST” in the message field will win a pair of passes to this weekend’s Porcuping Mountains Music Festival. Scroll down for the schedule, ticket links, weather forecast and playlist.
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It may take place in the uppermost corner of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, but the Porcupine Mountains Music Festival aims to make it well worth the trip for fans who travel to the annual celebration from the Lower Peninsula, Wisconsin, Minnesota and beyond.
Indeed, the 2023 lineup for the two-day festival taking place at the Winter Sports Complex of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park near Ontonagon boasts artists hailing from places as far away as Texas, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Illinois, North Carolina, New York and Canada.
That lineup includes acclaimed singer-songwriter Jackie Venson (described as “a true visionary” by festival director Cheryl Sundberg), soulful and bluesy rock band The Commonheart, rising Americana star and West Michigan native Myron Elkins, bluegrass outfit The Slocan Ramblers and rock tunesmith Kat Wright.
For those who haven’t attended previously, a Michigan Recreation Passport is required for entry into the state park to attend the festival, for which you can find details and prices here: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/Buy-and-Apply/rec-pp.
“Every year, I say we have the best lineup we have ever had. It’s no different this year,” said Sundberg, who added that the 2023 event will include a special tribute to “festival family” member Dale Venema, who was lost in kayaking accident on Lake Superior.
PORCUPINE MOUNTAINS MUSIC FESTIVAL 2023
The Porkies Music Fest (Photo/Local Spins)
WHERE: Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (Winter Sports Complex), 36606 Carp Lake Tower Road, Ontonagon 49953
WEBSITE: https://porkiesfestival.org/
THE LINEUP: Jackie Venson, Myron Elkins, The Commonheart, Kat Wright, The Slocan Ramblers, Seth Walker, H.C. McEntire, The Way Down Wanderers, Charlie Parr, Gabe Stillman Band, Humbird, Buffalo Galaxy, plus Chalet Stage performers. View the complete lineup here.
QUOTE: “The Porcupine Mountains Music Festival offers a breath of fresh air amid the larger market festivals that, while amazing, can be an exhausting experience. With a desire to keep the festival a quality, intimate event — combined with the natural beauty and ample space the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park grounds afford — we are able to offer our attendees and performers a relaxing and highly connected musical experience that stands out as unique among that of our peers.” – Cheryl Sundberg, festival director
TICKETS: Adult two-day passes are $95; children’s passes are $10; children 6 and younger are free. Single-day tickets available at the gate only. Ticket link here.
WEATHER FORECAST (as of Aug. 21):
Friday – High of 66 degrees, low of 53; mostly cloudy and cool with a possible thunderstorm
Saturday – High of 67 degrees, low of 53; mostly sunny
PORCUPINE MOUNTAINS MUSIC FESTIVAL 2023: THE SCHEDULE
PORCUPINE MOUNTAINS MUSIC FESTIVAL 2023: The Local Spins Playlist
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