Yellowstone Country Music Festival debuts at Mt. Brighton

Country music act Mac Watts performs during the Yellowstone Country Musical Festival at Mt. Brighton, Saturday, July 22.
Country music act Mac Watts performs during the Yellowstone Country Musical Festival at Mt. Brighton, Saturday, July 22.

GENOA TWP. — A new country music festival drew a crowd to Mt. Brighton on Saturday, July 22.

The Yellowstone Country Music Festival inspired many to dress up in western wear, watch performances by five country bands, and enjoy other activities inspired by the hit TV show "Yellowstone."

With much of downtown Brighton under construction, the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce decided to hold a new festival at the ski and snowboarding venue in Genoa Township.

Holly resident Morgan Detvay came dressed as "Yellowstone" character Teeter, wearing a pink wig, and participated in one of several look-a-like contests. Everyone who participated won a cowboy hat. Detvay's friend, Laura Roberts — who owns Posh Hair and Makeup Studio in Milford — made herself up to look like Beth Dutton.

From left, Laura Roberts dresses up as "Yellowstone" character Beth Dutton and Morgan Detvay dresses up as Teeter.
From left, Laura Roberts dresses up as "Yellowstone" character Beth Dutton and Morgan Detvay dresses up as Teeter.

"We're obsessed with the show and glad we got a little piece of Montana here in Michigan," Detvay said. "I think they should do it again. The music is really great."

Mechanical bull rides, lasso training, and a petting farm with pony rides gave the festival a western vibe.

Taylor Tuttle, who works at Howell Western Wear, showed participants how to throw lassos. The western clothing store also set up a vendor booth at the festival.

From left, Taylor Tuttle, a Howell Western Wear employee, shows Natalie Winans how to throw a lasso at the Yellowstone Country Music Festival at Mt. Brighton on Saturday, July 22, 2023.
From left, Taylor Tuttle, a Howell Western Wear employee, shows Natalie Winans how to throw a lasso at the Yellowstone Country Music Festival at Mt. Brighton on Saturday, July 22, 2023.

Country music acts Bernadette Kathryn and The Lonely Days Band, Double Wide Ride, Mandi Layne and The Lost Highway, Shiatown and Mac Watts performed through the afternoon and evening.

Food was provided by local area food trucks.

Contact Jennifer Eberbach at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com. 

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Yellowstone Country Music Festival debuts at Mt. Brighton