Get ready camping and music lovers. On September 17, Michigan’s MI Fest is where to enjoy both. For the first year ever, Michigan’s International Speedway (MIS)–a campground/ NASCAR race track combo is hosting a brand new, family-friendly outdoor concert extravaganza.
At MIS, Michigan’s largest campground, the nearly 9000 campsites mean a busy place with much to do. Hiking, fishing ponds, a kids’ play area and volleyball are among the choices. Plus, new bathhouses have been added.
Whether you want to pitch a tent at a rustic camping site ($35 for the weekend), a site with electricity ($50) or rent an RV (from $400 to $650), you’ll find your spot for R&R and music.
Tent camping at a Northwoods campsite is one MIS option
For MI Fest’s first year, the line-up is filled with music to suit a wide range of tastes. The Raconteurs, featuring Detroit natives Jack White and Brendan Benson, along with Sheryl Crow, are the festival’s headliner. Jeff Daniels, Alto Reed’s AllStars, Bear Lake, Hot Club of Detroit, Jill Jack, Mark Farner (formerly of Grand Funk Railroad), Marnée, Mitch Ryder, The Ben Daniels Band, The Howling Diablos, The Juliets, The Rockets, The Romantics, Ty Stone & The Truth, Whitey Morgan & The 78s will perform on one of two concert stages.
Music isn’t all MI Fest offers. Michigan restaurants will be selling food. Here’s your opportunity to chow down on grub from American Coney Island, Jacques’ Tacos, Chicken Man, Dago Joe’s, and Kona Shaved Ice, among others, and drink Badass Beer.
Graves Farm Campground is close to the park's main entrance
To add to your festival experience, buy a T-shirt being sold by Creem, Detroit’s rock magazine that’s experiencing a comeback, or pick up an artsy item at the Art Gallery. Works by Mark Arminski, Gary Grimshaw, Carl Lungren, Stanley Mouse, Sue Rynski, Leni Sinclair, Johnny Bee and Tom Weschler are part of the bounty.
Although MI Fest is a one day event, arrive Friday, the night before and stay over until Sunday to make the camping part a weekend.
Tickets to MIFest are $79 (Kids 12 and under are free when they are paired with a paying, accompanying adult). Once you have a ticket, you can come and go. If you want to up your concert experience, pay $109. These VIP tickets will give you: a chance to mingle with the performers, gain convenient seating, a separate concession area, special parking and shelter.
Other important things to know if you go: The concert starts at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, but the gates open at noon. The last show will finish at 11 p.m.
For important information, check the “TICKETS” page of the MI Fest website. I recommend reading the rules about what you can and can not bring into the festival so you don’t haul along gear that you’ll have to abandon never to see again. Read about this under the “Gate Policy” section.
To purchase general sale festival tickets, click here or call 800-354-1010. Kids will need tickets, even if a kid is with a paying adult. Use the same number.
MIS Camping
12696 U.S. 12
Brooklyn, MI 49230
For camping reservations, call 1.734.740.4444
To email festival with questions, use Info@MI-FEST.com
Photos courtesty of Michigan International Speedway
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