Wyatt Azalea Johnson gives a thumbs up near one of the activity tents during the 2022 Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival. The 43rd annual event kicks off July 21 at Tourist Park in Marquette. (Journal photo by Lisa Bowers)

By DREYMA

BERONJA

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — The time for a popular music festival in the Upper Peninsula is fast approaching.

The 43rd annual Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival is will take place July 21-23 at Tourist Park in Marquette. According to the festival’s website, it’s the only event of its size and scope in the U.P.

“Each year’s event features traditional music styles that includes bluegrass, old-timey, Cajun, Celtic, acoustic blues and folk, including singer/songwriters. (The festival) also features traditional dance styles,” according to the website, hiawathamusic.org/about-the-hiawatha-festival. “Main stage acts include nationally known performers as well as regional and local favorites.”

One of the performers at this year’s festival is Buffalo Nichols, who is Fat Possum’s first blues signing in nearly 20 years, who is set to play at the festival on July 21 -22.

According to a Chromatic Publicity press release, Nichols will play at the festival in support of his new album, “The Fatalist,” which comes out on Sept. 12.

“On his self-produced second album, Nichols does things with the blues that might catch you off guard. There’s a consideration of the fullness of the sonic stage and the atmospherics of blues music that can only come with a long engagement with electronic music,” the press release said. “But this is no gimmicky hybrid or attempt to turn the blues into 21st century music by simply dressing it with skittering hi-hats.”

Other performers at this year’s festival include Michael Waite, Old Pine Road and Frank Youngman.

One change visitors will see at this year’s festival is the discontinuation of the lottery.

“Over the years, a lottery has been held to allow a limited number of people to enter the campground on Thursday, a day earlier than general entry,” the festival said on its website. “As the festival has grown, the number of people in the park on Thursday has grown, too.”

According to the festival’s website, many Thursday tasks were impeded by the number of people moving around the park, resulting in some safety hazards.

“The board of directors had to make a hard decision, and with the safety of everyone utmost in mind, has eliminated the lottery,” the festival said on its website. “The official policy is now essential personnel only for Thursday entry.”

As of Thursday, the festival had sold out of all camper, trailer and RV tags. Tent tags in areas C and E are also sold out, according to the festival’s website.

Online sales for wristbands, camping tags and parking permits are available until Thursday. Any purchases made will be held for pickup at will-call.

Prices can be found at hiawathamusic.org/order-wristbands-camping-tags-parking-passes.

To celebrate the upcoming festival, a prefest party will be held at the Ore Dock Brewing Company from 6-8 p.m. Thursday with the band Chasin’ Steel playing. The free event is also the last day to purchase advance tickets.

For more information, visit hiawathamusic.org. Any questions can be directed to hiawathamc@gmail.com or 906-226-8575.

Dreyma Beronja can be reached at 906-228-2500 ext. 548. Their email address is dberonj@miningjournal.net.