Wheatland Music Festival


The Wheatland Music Festival is a music and arts festival organized by the Wheatland Music Organization, a non-profit organization specializing in the preservation and presentation of traditional arts and music. Community outreach services include programming for Senior facilities and schools across mid-Michigan, year-round instrument lessons, scholarship programs, Jamborees, Traditional Dances, and Wheatscouts - a free program educating children through music, dance, storytelling, crafts and nature. Each year, the organization holds its annual Traditional Arts Weekend the weekend of Memorial Day, and its annual festival during the second weekend in September in the unincorporated community of Remus in the state of Michigan, in the United States. The first Wheatland Music Festival was held August 24, 1974.
WWW wheatlandmusic.org

History

In the early 1970s a small group of Mt. Pleasant Food Co-Op members and local musicians were staging free concerts and benefits around the Big Rapids and Mt. Pleasant, Michigan areas. Common sites were city parks and public halls. Proceeds enabled the food co-op to pay rent and utilities. Meanwhile, founders of the Wheatland Music Organization were organizing about two concerts a month during the summer.
The First Wheatland Bluegrass Festival was held as a benefit for the Mt. Pleasant Food Co-Op, August 24, 1974. It was a one-day event held on the Rhode family farm, located four miles east of Remus on M-20. June Rhodes' utility room became festival headquarters, her backyard was the backstage area, and her sister-in-law's yard across the road was the parking lot. The flatbed trailers were in place along with the first-aid tent, a sound system, and a hotdog stand.
By 1975 Wheatland was born. Elections were held and the board of directors was established. Many of the first directors are still active in the organization. This can be attributed to their faith in each other, their commitment to community service, and passion for preserving and presenting traditional music and arts.
With the 47th annual festival being deferred to 2021, officials blamed the COVID-19 pandemic as the result of 2020's cancellation.
2021 festival and lineup were announced in June 2021, however due to rising rates of COVID-19 the 2021 festival was cancelled on August 11, with the next festival deferred to September 2022.

Timeline

1970s

1974
  • 1st Wheatland Music Festival
1975
  • Board of Directors Established
  • Articles of Incorporation filed as "Wheatland Music Organization"
  • Festival moved to Wernette Farm
1976
  • Wheatland Music Festival becomes a 2-day event
  • Information tent was born: rented from the Beal City Knights of Columbus
1977
  • Wheatland Bylaws are ratified/amended
  • Non-Profit Status is awarded
  • 1st Wheatlan Music Festival album is produced
  • 1st WMO Reunion is held at Central Michigan University
1978
  • 1st "Main Stage" is built
1979
  • "Our Front Porch" radio show is developed
  • Costabella Cloggers make 1st appearance at Wheatland Music Festival
  • Public Transportation 1st used at Wheatland Music Festival

1980s

1980
  • Day-long textile arts workshops held at Wheatland in March
  • 6 Albums are now on Wheatland's Record Label
  • 1st Grant was received to host a Community Education Program in October
1981
  • 1st WMO Newsletter is established
1982
  • WMO purchases their 1st computer
  • WCMU Begins taping the music festival
1983 Land purchase: WMO puts $100 down on Gunnison Property
  • WMO Sponsors 1st Music Conference
  • WMO Begins Old Time Country dances in Mt. Pleasant
1984
  • "Our Front Porch" radio show is offered to National Public Radio
  • Land Contract signed to purchase 20 acres from Mark and Gladys Wernette
1985
  • Wheatland Cabin is built
  • Kids Hill Playhouse is built
1986
  • More work done at Kids Hill: 5 picnic tables built along with a wood-framed swing and fenced-in area for sheep
1987
  • A recycling program is introduced at Wheatland
  • Ice made available for sale on site for first time
  • Wheatscouts program for children begins at Wheatland
  • WMO monthly Jamboree begins at Wheatland
1988
  • "Third Stage" Dance Pavilion is built
  • WMO added "Inc." to its name
  • WMO Logo Trademarked/Patented
  • Teen Dance at the Festival is established
1989
  • Elyce Fishman Scholarship established
  • 1st Wheatland Dance Camp is held over Memorial Day Weekend
  • WMO collaborates with MSU to produce "Michigan In Song" Michigan performers cassettes
  • WMO Presented with "Ambassador's Award" by Mecosta County Chamber of Commerce

1990s

1990
  • 140 Acres purchased from Mark and Gladys Wernette
  • WMO Board develops revised mission statement, bylaws and organizational goals
  • WMO Copyright registration process begins
  • The Gladys Wernette Classroom Building is built
1991
  • Kitchen Building is built
  • Wheatland Memberships begin
  • Mark and Gladys Wernette celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary
1992
  • Information Building is built
  • Electricity became available at all work stations and lighting is added to the campgrounds
  • Orientation Workshops begin for campground volunteers
  • "Peace Train" added to Kids Hill
1998
  • Original "Main Stage" is moved to Kids Hill
  • The structure now known as "Main Stage" is built

2000s

2001
  • The Hospitality Building known as the "Post Office" is built in honor of Mark Wernette

Performers by year

2020s

2025
  • Critton Hollow String Band
  • Nikki D. and the Sisters of Thunder
  • The Gibson Brothers
  • Catfish Keith
  • Kittel & Co.
  • Ladama
  • La R’Voyure
  • AJ Lee & Blue Summit
  • Steve Poltz
  • The Revelers
  • Solas
  • Cristina Vane
  • The Wild Shoats
CENTENNIAL STAGE
  • All American Funk Parade
  • Crazy Chestur
  • The Go Rounds
  • The Johns
  • The Lucky Nows
  • Road Warriors: RJ Cowder, Joel Mabus & Dana Cooper
  • The Rebel Eves
  • Wild Honey Collective
  • Community Sing
Schafer Song Stage Performers
  • Andy Baker
  • Caroline Barlow
  • Jen Cass
  • Rachel Dresselhouse
  • Ed Dupas
  • Steff Kayser
  • Audra Kubat
  • John D Lamb
  • Michael Robertson
  • Kait Rose
  • Mark Schrock & Mary Sue Wilkinson
  • Sarah Schingeck
  • Alex Teller
  • Mike Ward
Dance Stage Performers
  • Bayou Rhythm Aces
  • Blue Water Ramblers
  • Dave Goodwin
  • Hawks & Owls
  • Becky Hill
  • Palooka Brothers
  • K Jones and the Benzie Playboys
  • Third Coast Swing
  • The Velvet Boys
Workshop Lane
  • Rachael Davis
  • Mike Ross
  • Round Creek String Band
  • Andy Wilson
Kids Hills Performers
  • Amanda McCarty-Bucket Band
  • Blue Water Ramblers
  • Benjammin Educational Music Program
  • Bruce Bauman – fiddle
  • Carolyn Koebel & Samuel Nalangira
  • Clear Sky Sound
  • Cory Cole – Bongos
  • Craig Van Otteren – Drums
  • Guitar for Kids with Patrick Knotts
  • Jay’s Jaw Harp Workshop
  • Kevin Murphy & Ted Bergin – Harmonica
  • Maciek Biezunski
  • Rootbears Family Hour
  • Agnes Su & The Wildflowers
  • Nola Dekam – Origami
  • Surcadiana
  • The Jump Bunny String Band
  • Susan Harrison and Palamazoo
  • The Porters
  • Ron Fowler
  • Kyle Joe & The Real Humdingers
  • Tunes and Tales by Tricia
Rhythm Stage
  • Samba Batucada
  • Japanese Taiko
  • The Art of Pandeiro
  • Afro-Cuban Drumming
  • Community Drum Circle
  • East African Dance Workshop
2024
  • Sierra Hull
  • Shemekia Copeland
  • BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet
  • KíLA
  • Tony Trischka
  • Chris Smither
  • Mireya Ramos & The Poor Choices
  • The Joy Lapps Project
  • Steam Machine
  • Twisted Pine
  • Alexis Chartrand & Mélissandre Trembley-Bourrassa
  • The Flint Southernaires
  • Peter Mulvey
  • Badass Women Band
  • Rachael & Dominic Davis
  • Samuel Nalangira
  • Wilson Thicket
  • The Howdy Boyz
  • Silver Creek Revival
  • Whorled
  • Joe Hertler
  • The Schrock Bros Band
  • Sam Robbins
  • Spencer LaJoye
  • Kyle Rasche
  • Jill Jack
  • Sierra Cassidy
  • Round Creek String Band
  • K. Jones & the Benzie Playboys
  • The Palooka Bros
  • The Blue Water Ramblers
  • Rick Thum
  • Dan Hazlett
  • Chris Buhalis
  • Eliza Thorp
  • Michael Robertson
2023
  • The Sensational Barnes Brothers
  • Jake Blount Band
  • Sam Bush
  • The BIG Family Business
  • Ruthie Foster
  • Nic Gareiss and Allison de Groot
  • Eilen Jewell
  • Jourdan Thibodeaux & Les Rodailleurs
  • Le Vent Du Nord
  • Lone Piñon
  • Lúnasa
  • The Onlies
  • Tuba Skinny
  • Adrian & Meredith
  • Scott Cook
  • Full Cord
  • Gasoline Gypsies
  • Gerald Ross & Frank Youngman
  • Kait Rose and the Thorns
  • Michael McNevin
  • Planet D Nonet
  • Josh Rose & the Founding Fathers
  • Round Creek String Band
  • Samuel Nalangira
  • Claudia Schmidt
  • Annie Bacon
  • Andy Baker
  • Caroline Barlow
  • Jim Bizer
  • Ralston Bowles
  • Jen Cass
  • Scott Cook
  • Lauren Crane
  • Dave Boutette & Kristi Davis
  • Eric Engblade
  • Michelle Held
  • Audra Kubat
  • Michael McNevin
  • Sean Miller
  • Nicholas James Thomasma
2022
2021
  • - Canceled due to COVID
2020
  • - Canceled due to COVID - Online Festival streamed "Wheatland Worldwide"

2010s

2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010

2000s

2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000

1990s

1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
1990

1980s

1989
1988
1987
1986
1985
1984
1983
  • Beausoleil
  • Sandy Bradley and The Small Wonder String Band
  • Major Contay and the Canebrake Rattlers
  • Costabella Cloggers
  • Jean Denny
  • Robert Dodson
  • Double Decker String Band
  • Fiddle Puppets
  • Foot Loose
  • Day and Kay Gordon
  • Henrie Brothers
  • Hot Mud Family
  • Lost World String Band
  • Joel Mabus
  • Na Cabar Feidh
  • Reel Union
  • Sally Rogers
  • Claudia Schmidt
  • Mike Seeger
  • Dick Tarrier
1982
1981
  • Bosom Buddies
  • Wilma Lee Cooper and the Clinch Mountain Clan
  • Dance All Night
  • De Dannan
  • Rick and Maureen Del Grosso
  • Fiction Brothers
  • Fiddle Puppets
  • Henrie Brothers
  • Hot Mud Family
  • Ken Bloom
  • Mulligan Dancers
  • Na Cabar Feidh
  • Percy Danforth
  • Red Clay Ramblers
  • Sally Rogers
  • Dick Tarrier
  • John Turner and the Fiddletree Band
  • Whetstone Run
  • Williams Family
1980

1970's

1979
  • Backwoods String Band
  • Costabella Cloggers
  • Patrick Couton
  • Dekalb
  • Dutch Cove String Band
  • Green Grass Cloggers
  • Gypsy Gypo String Band
  • Henrie Brothers
  • Hot Mud Family
  • Lost World String Band
  • Joel Mabus
  • Port City Bluegrass Boys
  • Quackgrass
  • Red Clay Ramblers
  • Reel World String Band
  • Jean Ritchie
  • Roustabout String Band
  • Tracy and Eloise Schwarz
  • Mike Seeger and Alice Gerrard
  • Sinclair Bros.
  • Carl Story
  • Williams Family with Jay Round
1978
  • Patrick Couton
  • Kitty Donohoe
  • Fall City Ramblers
  • Flat Pickers Local No. 169
  • Green Grass Cloggers
  • Highwoods String Band
  • Hot Mud Family
  • Lost World String Band
  • Joel Mabus
  • Wade Mainer
  • Martin, Bogan and Armstrong
  • New Pine River Valley Boys
  • Quackgrass
  • Quality Quinn
  • Red Clay Ramblers
  • Sinclair Bros.
  • Swamp Cats
  • Jay Ungar and Lynn Hardy
  • Vice Versa
  • Williams Family
1977
1976
  • Cabbage Crik
  • Easy Pickins
  • Highwoods String Band
  • Pine River Valley Boys
  • Mike Seeger
  • Stillhouse String Band
  • Sweet Corn
  • Williams Family
1975
1974
  • Bean Town Valley Ramblers
  • Easy Pickins
  • Kentucky Grass
  • Roy McGinnis and the Sunnysiders
  • Pine River Valley Boys
  • Tennessee Valley Boys