The 38th Annual Spirit of the Woods Folk Festival will be taking place on Saturday at the Dickson Township Park from noon until 11:30 p.m. It is the opportunity to hear some of the area’s best bands perform.
BRETHREN — Anyone who enjoys the sound of folk music is not going to want to miss the 38th Annual Spirit of the Woods Folk Festival Saturday in the Dickson Township Park.
The Spirit of the Woods Music Association sponsors this event and according to the organizers the lineup this year is better than ever. The festival will run from noon until 11:30 p.m. and is free to the public, although donations are accepted.
This year’s lineup includes Glemie Beasley and his Down Home Band (electric blues), Jerry Ramsey and Austin Brauker (classic country), Stella (American roots band), Steppin’ In It (multi-instrumental acoustic band), Ruby John and the Johns (string band), Youthful Exuberance (fresh folk music).
Performers of all ages will grace the stage this year including 74-year-old Glemie Beasly and his Down Home Blues Band. He learned to sing while picking cotton on an Arkansas plantation and later moved to Detroit.
His style of music features blues, country, and gospel. He will be performing on the main stages at 3 p.m. with an encore performance at 6 p.m.
On the opposite end of the spectrum will be Youthful Exuberance featuring some of the area’s most outstanding young singers. The group includes Tucker Laws who will be joined by Ruben Resendiz, Mary and Faith Pryor.
Laws has played the Folk Festival for several years, but this will be his first trip the main stage. Youthful Exuberance will perform at 2 p.m.
Three venues will be open for people to enjoy music at the Spirit of the Woods Folk Festival. There is the main stage, second stage and the Dance Pavilion.
The main stage will have all the featured acts and will run from noon until 11:30 p.m. The second stage will feature two announced performers as well as a song writing workshop and open microphone time.
Every year the Spirit of the Woods Folk Festival puts on entertainment that is family oriented entertainment for all ages. Besides the vast array of musicians, there will children’s activities and arts and crafts from noon until 5 p.m.
What also makes the festival special is the wide variety of food that is available to purchase. It will include both traditional and vegetarian cuisine. The food gives people with a love of music the opportunity to spend the entire day at the park listening to musical groups perform.
Those planning on attending the festival should note that it will be held in the Dickson Township Park rain or shine.
Main Stage Schedule
* Noon Jerry Ramsey and Austen Brauker
* 1 p.m. Stella!
* 2 p.m. Youthful Exuberance (Tucker Laws, Ruben Resendiz, Mary and Faith Pryor)
* 3 p.m. Glemie Beasley and his Down Home Blues Band
* 4 p.m. The Johns
* 5 p.m. Steppin’ In It
* 6 p.m. Glemie Beasley & his Down Home Blues Band
* 7 p.m. Stella!
The Dance Pavilion
* 8 p.m. Steppin’ In It
Second Stage Schedule
* 1 p.m. The Johns
* 2 p.m. Kat Eldred
* 3 p.m. Penny Whistle Workshop with Carol Voigts
* 4-7 p.m. Open microphone
The post Spirit of the Woods Folk Festival set for Saturday in Dickson Township Park appeared first on Manistee News.