Welcome to another Saturday update to Michigan’s summer music festival season, from Cowpie returning under a new moniker, to lineup announcements and ticket sale details for several festivals.
Introducing the “Shagbark Music & Arts Festival.”
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
In what was billed this week as the final post on the Cowpie Music Festival Facebook page, the much-beloved, long-running music festival in southern Kent County will now be known as Shagbark Music & Arts Festival taking place in the usual location outside Caledonia Aug. 3-5.
With new booking leadership, Shagbark Farm owner “Farmer” John Crissman tells Local Spins that the lineup announcement for the re-branded festival will be made in the very near future, so fans should stay tuned to Local Spins and the Shagbark Farm Facebook page for updates.
“We want to thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts for the love and support we have received from you over the years with Cowpie and hope to see you all back at the farm in August for Shagbark Music & Arts Festival,” organizers wrote.
Another popular, family-oriented music festival south of Grand Rapids — Buttermilk Jamboree at Circle Pines Center in Delton June 16-18 — has revealed a “first look” at its lineup for 2023.
Performing at Buttermilk 2023 will be Erin Zindle & The Ragbirds, Great Lakes Brass Band, Cabildo, Kait Rose & The Thorns, Jive at Five, The Schrock Brothers, Ironwood, Grace Theisen and Kyle Rasche of Chain of Lakes. Discounted early-bird tickets — $110 for adults, $40 for children — are now available online here. Ticket prices go up April 15.
In other music festival news, the Blissfest Music Organization — which hosts Blissfest outside Harbor Springs July 7-9 — has named Caroline Barlow its new artistic director. Barlow joined the organization in 2014 as an intern and has gone on to serve several roles with the group, including talent buyer. She’s also a veteran musician.
Other music festival updates:
MINNEHAHA BREWHAHA MUSIC FESTIVAL (Sept. 1-2 in Arcadia) – Ticket sales are open for the 2023 festival. Adult festival admission is $45, which includes beer-tasting; music-only tickets for those 12 and older not participating in beer tasting, $25; festival camping, $125. Get details, tickets online here.
THE GRATEFUL BEAR CAMPOUT MUSIC FESTIVAL (Aug. 4-5 in Trufant – Smiling Acres Site) – Lineup: The Schwag 33rd Year Anniversary Celebrating The Grateful Dead; This One’s Pink: Pink Floyd Experience; Michal Menter; Cofresi; Josh Teed; Saywhat!?; The Erly; Birds of a Feather; Medicinal Groove. More info online here.
For a complete list of festivals, check out Local Spins’ Michigan Music Festivals 2023 Guide, with dates, locations and links to festival websites.
Copyright 2023, Spins on Music LLC