HARBOR SPRINGS — Muskegon singer-songwriter Grayson Barton started attending Blissfest as an infant, so he’s well aware of the music festival’s impressive four-decades-plus legacy and its magnetic attraction.
“There is something magical about that festival – the variety of music, the atmosphere, the people and the beautiful location to boot,” he said of the three-day festival taking place southeast of Cross Village.
Longtime festivalgoer Joseph Pietrowski said it’s about the “music, ambiance and sense of community. You leave with such a feeling of peace and comfort.”
Blissfest returns to northern Michigan this week – July 12-14 – with headlining performances by The Wood Brothers, Sarah Jarosz, Donna the Buffalo, John Craigie and Amythyst Kiah, as well as a full slate of Michigan favorites, children’s activities, workshops, dance performances and vendors.
Centered around the folk, world and roots genres while being inclusive to many Michigan acts, the 42nd annual festival boasts 10 performance areas on the 200-acre festival farm.
“In addition to the incredible music that is shared, Blissfest also carries additional programming to really round out your festival with healing arts, workshops, kids activities and a kids tent, crafting and so much more,” said Blissfest Music Organization’s artistic director Caroline Barlow.
There’s also a silent disco, drum kiva, open-mic opportunities, disc golf, food and craft vendors along with nearly 100 different acts on the weekend bill.
The Michigan contingent of performers includes May Erlewine, Full Cord, The Go Rounds, Seth Bernard, Earth Radio, Tai Drury, Annie Bacon, Dr. Goodhart’s Home Remedy, Levitator and more. First-timers include Daniel Bracken, Mike Ward, Annie Capps, and Northern Michigan’s own Americana and blues duo The Crosscut Kings.
“When we started this thing, we had a few benchmark milestone goals in mind and one of them has always been performing at Blissfest,” said Crosscut Kings guitarist and vocalist Jim Bonney.
“We feel like we have now accomplished something for sure and we are just so stoked to be part of such an amazing lineup.”
Barlow insisted “it’s very important to us to have that Michigan representation as music lovers here are so loyal and supportive of the artists they love. Blissfest is built on a foundation of that and it’s important to us to support the musician economy, scene and culture here.”
She suggested that festival first-timers not only make time for the acts they want to see, but also take time to explore the grounds, find a new stage, walk through the woods, make friends and to just really take in all of what the festival has to offer.
“Just enjoy being at the festival and taking your time to enjoy it all without trying to cram everything in. You wont be able to see everything but that is kind of the beauty of it all. There’s always something going on,” she said.
Adult weekend passes are currently $238 per adult and teen tickets are $98 with various other offerings for day passes. Kids 12 and under are free.
Get tickets and more information online at blissfestfestival.org.