Handmade Music Festival returns to Chesaning for its sixth year

Both performance stages will be under the large party tent in Showboat Park for the Handmade Music Festival Oct 4-5. Courtesy photo

CHESANING – The Handmade Music Festival returns to Chesaning’s scenic Showboat Park with a full lineup of talented musicians, two stages under one large entertainment tent, children’s activities, camping, food and craft vendors, as well as a welcoming and relaxed venue, Friday, Oct. 4 and Saturday, Oct. 5.

Shelly Rupple English, and her children Savannah, Evan and Cole Rupple are the event coordinators.

Shelly said, “The lineup is a nice combination of returning favorites and new talent joining us for the first time. Bands love our beautiful venue and our top-notch sound system. This is our sixth year, and we are very grateful to be able to continue to bring music to the park with the generous support of our village, sponsors and community.”

This year’s performers include local favorites The Rupple Brothers and Zachery James along with special guest performances by August, Baccano, Chirp, Daniel Staggs, Distant Stars, Eric Engblade Duo, Ficus, Grace Theisen Trio, Kyle Brown & The Human Condition, Loren Kranz & Co., Monte Pride, Nicholas James & The Bandwagon, On The Lash, and Ted Bounty; plus Kevin Lamb as emcee.

They will be performing on two stages under the tent. Performances will alternate between stages. On Friday, Oct. 4, the gates open at 2 p.m. with Nicholas James & The Bandwagon starting at 6 p.m. performing the first set. On Saturday, Oct. 5, the gates open at 10 a.m. and the music starts at noon with Monte Pride performing the first set.

Shelly said, “We have also expanded on the activities in the kids’ tent from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday.”

Tickets will be available at the gate. Patrons have the option of using Venmo and PayPal at the gate. Several ATMs are available in downtown Chesaning, just five minutes from Showboat Park.

Weekend general admission tickets are $60 per person and kids ages 12 and under are admitted to the festival free of charge. The Saturday day pass is $35 per person. Camping is included with ticket purchase on both the general admission day pass and general admission weekend passes.

The campground has electricity available, bathrooms, shower facilities and fire pits. Campsites are available on a first-come first-served basis. Early birds who want to arrive a day or so early for camping need to reserve a campsite through the Village of Chesaning at the village website, villageofchesaning.org. Those who choose to rent a campsite early and stay for the Handmade Music Festival should use Friday, Oct. 4 as the departure date on the registration form. During the festival, camping is included in admission, two nights, Oct. 4 and 5. The Handmade Music Festival is not responsible for extra charges paid to the village. Festival goers are asked to please be mindful and respect park rules. Pets are not allowed in the festival area or campground during the event. As an added safety precaution, glass containers are not allowed. There will be a police presence at the festival to keep everyone safe. Shelly said, “We’d like to thank our generous sponsors for all of their support in 2024 and the years to come. We could never do what we do without your overwhelming support and appreciation. A big thank you from everyone at Handmade Music Festival.”

The Stage Sponsors are High Life Farms and Tom Teal. Spotlight Sponsors are Chesaning Comfort Care, Rob Massard Music and Moses Roses. Band Sponsors are Broad Street Pharmacy and T&J’s Towing & Hauling. The Instrumental Sponsors are Big Rock Coffee & Events, Main Beverage Company, Resourceful Recycling, Quality Care Construction, Granny’s Kitchen, Paramount Children’s Therapy Center, Rock Solid Music, Ed Rehmann & Sons, Platinum Wireless, Elite Party Rental and Laura McKay. The Helping Hands Sponsors include Designs By Bean, Studio 3 – A Dance Company, Ace Hardware, McFarlan’s Pub, Hedrich Excavating, Ashleigh’s Dance Shack, Core Fitness and Tanning, Sloan’s Septic Tank Service, D’s Party Store, Unleashed Dog Training, Fortitude Farms & Events, Jet Tool, Megan Beldyga. Farm Bureau Insurance, Leon Bishop and Sue Miller, and Hendrix and Ophelia Bishop.

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