Summer festivals in Greater Lansing: What to know, where to go
What do Greater Lansing's streets, dams, courthouses and lawns have in common? They're sites of some of this summer's popular festivals.
From a jazz festival in East Lansing to Juneteenth in REO Town, Potterville's Gizzard fest and county fairs, there's a healthy selection of festivals and all-day events that'll keep families busy all summer long.
Here are some to jot down on your calendars.
Dam Jam, July 14-15, at Brenke Fish Ladder
Lansing 5:01, a young adult networking group, brings Dam Jam back to the Brenke Fish Ladder for a third year in July. Christopher Sell, founder of Lansing 5:01, said the festival's lineup changes each night of the three-night event to pull in different crowds.
"One thing different is that this is the biggest stage we've ever prepped up," he said. "The first night is $10 ticket because we're bringing in three up-and-coming country artists from Nashville. The other days will have Michigan artists."
It begins at 5 p.m. on July 14, 15 and 16. While the event is free on June 15 and 16, Sell encouraged people to register on the organization's website, lansing501.com/events, to make admission easier.
"The concert stage will be in the heart of the fish ladder inside it, and attendees will be able to gather inside of it and folks will be able to spread out and watch," he said.
Can't wait for Dam Jam? Lansing 5:01 is bringing back its annual BLOCK:AID street festival to support to Downtown Lansing businesses. It begins at 5:01 p.m. on June 2 along Washington Square.
Lansing Pride, Aug. 13 in Lansing's Old Town
Pride is back in person and organizers with Lansing's event aim for it to be a grand affair with drag queen Delicious Jackson. A lineup of entertainers has not been set yet, said Lansing Pride spokesman Patrick Monroe.
"Our goal for Lansing Pride is a celebration of all aspects of the LGBTQIA community," Monroe said.
The event starts at 1 p.m. on Aug. 13 in Old Town on Turner Street from Esquire Bar to Turner Mini Park.
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To help make the event more grand, Monroe said they're looking for 150 volunteers. Those interested can sign up at volunteer.LansingPride.org.
"I wouldn't say we've taken from other events like Detroit (Pride), but as a collective, we want to make sure we bring the pride to Lansing," he said.
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Can't wait for Lansing Pride? Michigan Pride is bringing back its annual Pride Rally at noon on June 26 at the Capitol's east lawn.
That date is the anniversary of the Obergefell v. Hodges U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized gay marriage across the country.
"For me, Pride is celebrating our differences not only as a gay, lesbian, transgender community, but as a community as a whole," Monroe said.
Sun Dried Music, Aug. 26 - 28 in Mason
A litany of artists will descend on Mason's downtown from Aug. 26-28 at the Ingham County Courthouse lawn for the 12th annual Sun Dried Music Festival. Admittance is free, said Cori Thackery, chair of the Mason Downtown Development Authority .
Details such as a start time and entertainment are to be determined, she said, but Ash Street will be closed to accommodate the festival.
Aug. 27 is vendor row for the festival as 30 different vendors will set up tents along Ash Street for festival-goers, according to Mason Chamber of Commerce's Facebook.
"We hope it'll show people Downtown Mason," Thackery said. "Mason is such a sweet little town."
Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at (517) 267-1344 or knurse@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @KrystalRNurse.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Summer festivals in Greater Lansing: What to know, where to go
