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Hello fellow festival attendees!

On Saturday, we welcome Not the Norm Food Truck. Here is their menu. There is a lot to choose from.

He will be open from 11-7:30, so be sure to pay him a visit! 





 We have a new food truck coming to the festival. Let's welcome Smokin' 7's BBQ!

They will be there on Thursday and Friday from 8am-8pm.

They will also offer breakfast (cinnamon rolls for $3, and biscuits and gravy for $6).  Juice is also on the menu!



 Hello, music friends! 🎶

The Midland Folk Music Festival is just around the corner, and we can't wait to welcome you for another incredible weekend of music, friendship, and fun!

📅 Festival Dates: August 27–30, 2026
📍 Midland County Fairgrounds
6905 Eastman Ave., Midland, MI 48642


If you're planning to camp with us, you're welcome to arrive as early as 8:00 AM on Monday, August 24.

Camping: $35 per day
Festival Ribbon: $10 for members | $20 for non-members


* If you arrive before Monday, the fairgrounds charges $100 per day for early arrivals.


Please note that there will also be a horse show taking place at the fairgrounds that weekend. We have a designated camping area reserved for our festival, and board members will be available to direct you to the correct location when you arrive.


If you've attended our festival before, you already know what makes it so special—outstanding workshops, music-filled jam sessions around the campground, talented performers, wonderful vendors, and the chance to reconnect with old friends while making new ones.

Come hungry! We'll have plenty of delicious food and beverages available throughout the weekend, including:


🎵 The Pop Doc (home of the famous dirty sodas)
🍔 Ellie Mae's Food Truck
☕ Three Birds Coffee & Tea
🍦 Great Lakes Ice Cream


Whether you're a longtime festival family member or planning your very first visit, we look forward to welcoming you. Bring your instrument, your friends, and your love of music for a weekend filled with learning, laughter, and unforgettable memories.


We'll see you August 27–30 at the Midland Folk Music Festival!


Volunteers Make the Festival Possible! ❤️🎶

As you enjoy everything the Midland Folk Music Festival has to offer, please consider volunteering for a shift or two. Our festival is made possible by the generosity of volunteers, and we'd love to have your help!

We are especially looking for volunteers to staff the Welcome Table in the Gerstacker Building. Volunteer duties include:

  • Greeting visitors and answering questions
  • Accepting donations
  • Selling festival ribbons
  • Selling pre-packaged ice cream from our nearby freezer

There are also several other volunteer opportunities available throughout the festival.

If you're interested or would like more information, please contact:

You can also sign up at the volunteer board during the festival.

Whether you can give an hour or a full shift, your time makes a difference. Thank you for helping us create a welcoming and memorable festival for everyone!



 Festival Update

The updated Workshop Schedules are here! The lyric songsheets for the Motown and Beatle workshops are available. 

Click on this link or the banner ‘Midland Folk Music Festival’! 

 

We have several other exciting events scheduled throughout the week:

Wednesday

8:00 PM – Gospel Sing Along with Jim Janofski in Area 5

Thursday

Noon – Open Jam with Jolly Hammers in the Fair Center
7:00–9:00 PM – Join Johnny Hunt for a 70’s Sing Along in the Fair Center

 

Friday & Saturday Evening Activities

Friday

6:00–8:00 PM – Jam for All Levels! For Everyone! in Area 1 (Merchant Building)
7:00–9:00 PM – Contra Dance in the Fair Center
8:00 PM – Uke and Friends Jam in Area 5

Saturday

3:00 PM – Music: A Patchwork of Sound with Marsha Kozlowski and Alice Gajewski in Area 5

Why do so many musicians also enjoy the craft of quilting with needle and thread? Music: A Patchwork of Sound explores that connection through a delightful display of music-themed quilts. Enjoy a music program and playlist that you can take back to your own community to create a program celebrating music, creativity, and community.

Presented by Marsha Kozlowski and Alice Gajewski, this special program takes place Saturday at 3:00 PM in Area 5.

5:45 PM – SUGAR performs before the Stage Show in the Fair Center
6:20 PM – Jolly Hammer & Strings perform before the Stage Show
7:00 PM – Evening Stage Show!

SUGAR Calendar of Activities for August 2026

 


AUGUST 2026 SUGAR Calendar of Activites


 

Three Unique Drum-Making Classes with Karen Brown

 

Karen Brown – Drum Making

These drums are works of art and sound beautiful! There are three different types of drums to choose from. You will not be disappointed! To register for any of these classes please email Karen kahb69@gmail.com or call 616-706-9685.

Bang Your Drum class will be on Thursday, August 27th. Fee: $65, Max 12 students. Each student will make their own gourd drum in this fun class. Color and design up to the students. Class length: 9:00am-4:00pm with a lunch break. All materials are provided by the teacher. Kit includes: Gourd shell, Drum hide head, Lacing, Ring, Stencils, Colors, and Finish.

Ocean Drum class will be on Friday, August 28th. Fee: $65, Max 12 students. Each student will make their own ocean drum during this all-day class 9:00am-4:00pm with a lunch break. This is a unique gourd drum to add to anyone’s instrument collection. All materials are provided by the teacher. Stencils of ocean themed items will be used as patterns, wood burning and ink for colors to add to the piece will be available. Kit includes: Gourd shell, Drum hide head, Lacing, Ring, Stencils, Colors, and Finish.

Thunder Drum class will be held on Saturday, August 29th. Fee: $65, Max 12 students. Thunder drums are a non- traditional drum that is shaken to produce the sound of Thunder. Each student will be designing and decorating their drum during this all-day class, class length is 9:00am-4:00pm with a lunch break. All materials are provided by the teacher. Kit includes: Gourd Shell, Rawhide, Ring, Lacing, Stencils, Colors, and Finish. 

 

 


Ottawa County Bluegrass Live at Mi Element – April 24 in Midland

 

The Folk Music Society of Midland is delighted to announce a special evening of wonderful bluegrass music on April 24th from 6–8 PM at Mi Element in Midland, MI. Join us for a lively performance by Ottawa County Bluegrass, featuring Joe Mitchell on banjo, Dennis Mitchell on guitar, Danny Bryant on mandolin, and Simon Edwards on upright bass.

A suggested donation of $15 at the door will help support the Folk Music Society of Midland. Come enjoy rich harmonies, toe-tapping rhythms, and an evening of timeless folk tradition.
 

 
 
 
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