The Muskegon Summer Celebration began in 1993 as a ten day music festival with a budget of $170,000 and has since grown into an 11-day all star music extravaganza complete with family fun for all ages. Located on the beautiful shores of Muskegon Lake in downtown Muskegon, the Muskegon Summer Celebration is a tradition among locals and out of town guests alike. In the beginning crowds were mainly from the Muskegon area. Summer Celebration now attracts fans from all over Michigan and surrounding states. Early crowd estimates were approximately 350,000. Summer Celebration now boasts anywhere from 600,000-625,000 people each year!
Musically, the Muskegon Summer Celebration started with one National act, the Marshall Tucker Band at a cost of $7,000. With a music budget well over $600,000, Summer Celebration now plays host to some of the world's best entertainers. There are very few musical genres that have not been featured at Summer Celebration. Past performers have included Aretha Franklin, Santana, Ray Charles, Gladys Knight, James Brown, Bonnie Raitt, Earth, Wind & Fire, Hootie and the Blowfish, REO Speedwagon, Foreigner, Joe Walsh, Chicago, and the Temptations. All time crowd favorites include the Doobie Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Wallflowers, Third Eye Blind, Collective Soul, Huey Lewis & The News, and Creedence Clearwater Revisited. As they have all along, Summer Celebration organizers round out the long list of awesome entertainment with many local and regional bands as well.
Countless hours are put into making the festival one of Michigan's best. With the help of well over 1500 volunteers, a number that has grown from 300-400 the first year…the Summer Celebration future looks bright and bigger than ever. Keeping with the tradition, the festival has grown to include something for fun-lovers of every age group.
Monday, June 15, 2009
2009 Summer Celebration Line-Up
The Muskegon Summer Celebration, The BIG Party, presented by Esurance, announces the completion of the Miller Lite Headline Artists appearing on the Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge Main Stage for this year’s event, June 25 – July 5. Headlining on Saturday, July 4, will be Third Eye Blind with Matt Nathanson opening. Also, Muskegon legend, Bettye Lavette, has been added to the July 3 bill. They join the previously announced acts, Saving Abel, Pop Evil, Burn Halo, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Loverboy, John Legend, Vaughn Anthony, Barenaked Ladies, Needtobreathe, Jason Aldean, Jamey Johnson, Kellie Pickler, Keith Anderson, Jake Owen, Counting Crows, Wild Sweet Orange, Billy Squier, War, Edgar Winter, Heart, Shinedown, Red, Halestorm, and Framing Hanley.
“We are extremely excited about the 2009 lineup,” said Board Chair, Bryon Mazade. “We have an incredible mix of music ranging from the 1960s through today. The music is diverse, and we are showcasing some great new talent. The best thing though, is that our patrons can see all 27 acts for under $100. That is so critical as we all work through these tough economic times.”
“We are extremely excited about the 2009 lineup,” said Board Chair, Bryon Mazade. “We have an incredible mix of music ranging from the 1960s through today. The music is diverse, and we are showcasing some great new talent. The best thing though, is that our patrons can see all 27 acts for under $100. That is so critical as we all work through these tough economic times.”
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