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.
History In the early 1970s a small group of Mt. Pleasant Food Co-Op (now the GreenTree Cooperative Grocery) 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 (one-day event on Aug 24)
1975
Board of Directors Established (May 13) Articles of Incorporation filed as "Wheatland Music Organization" (May 29) 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 (May 26–28) 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
2020s
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 (Brazilian Tambourine) Afro-Cuban Drumming (Conga Conga Conga) Community Drum Circle (Sundance & Solair) 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 (solo) 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
Blue Highway Joe Troop Foghorn Stringband Racines featuring Steve Riley & friends Joe Luis Walker Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys Sweet Water Warblers Evie Ladin Band Keith Terry and Crosspulse Eileen Ivers Dirk Powell Kane and Gellert Northern Kentucky Brotherhood The Family Business Djangophonique Jill Jack Band Annie and Rod Capps Band Via Mardot Hawks and Owls Jive at Five Blue Water Warblers The Palooka Brothers
2021 - Canceled due to COVID 2020 - Canceled due to COVID - Online Festival streamed "Wheatland Worldwide"
2010s 2019
Robbie Fulks and Linda Gail Lewis Red Squirrel Chasers Freddy & Francine Hazmat Modine The Mammals The Jones Family Singers Short Round String Band The Quebe Sisters Alsadair Frasier and the New World Assembly Tim O'Brien Band De Temps Antan The Special Consensus Dead Horses K. Jones and The Benzie Playboys Escaping Pavement Roosevelt Diggs The Journeymen May and The Motivations Sally Rogers and Claudia Schmidt Dick Siegel Forest Huval
2018 John McCutcheon Darrell Scott Thornetta Davis Kittel & Co. Town Mountain Charley Crockett Las Cafeteras Front Country Altan Steppin' In It Corn Potato String Band Nora Jane Struthers SHIFT Joe Hall & The Cane Cutters The Schrock Brothers Jen Sygit Elephant Rescue Diamonds In The Rust Rollie Tussing Nickolas James & The Bandwagon Emily Rose Andy Baker John D. Lamb Josh Rose Sam Corbin Jan Krist & Jim Bizer Annie & Rod Capps Anne Heaton & Frank Marotta
2017
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper Radney Foster Luke Winslow-King Gaby Moreno Molsky's Mountain Drifters Ruthie Foster Jayme Stone's Folklife and Lomax Project La Cave Tap Reunion The Defibulators Feufollet Don Julin's Mr. Natural Project The Northern Kentucky Brotherhood Singers Drew Nelson and Highway 2 The Bootstrap Boys T-Mart Rounders/Milnes, Chesser, & Hill Diff and Dudley The Avi Lesser Jug Band Planet D Nonet
2016
Asleep at the Wheel Charlie Musselwhite The Gibson Brothers Solas Bruce Daigrepont Haas Kowert Tice Mike + Ruthy Footworks Nic Gareiss & Friends Three Women and the Truth (Mary Gauthier, Gretchen Peters, Eliza Gikyson) Adonis Puentes & The Voice of Cuba Orchestra The Cactus Blossoms Black Twig Pickers Luke Winslow-King Red Tail Ring Stella! The Go-Rounds Delilah DeWylde & The Lost Boys Mark Lavengood Bluegrass Bonanza! Soltre Ralston Bowles Chris Buhalis Ira Bernstein Frank Allison May Erlewine Natalie Mae Joe Shields Michelle Chenard & Pete Kehoe Jan Krist & Kim Bizer
2015
Joshua Davis Dervish Rock My Soul- The McCrary Sisters & The Fairfield Four Foghorn Stringband Balsam Range Savoy Family Bill Kirchen California Feetwarmers Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton Peter Mulvey Wild Ponies Samantha Martin and Delta Sugar Rapetipetam Gerald Ross Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys Rollie Tussing & The Midwest Territory Band Gifts or Creatures The Mudpuppys
2014
Rodney Crowell Pokey LaFarge Sarah Jarosz Sharon Shannon The Steel Wheels Eden Brent Bonsoir Catin Ira Bernstein The Asham Stompers Billy Strings & Don Julin Big Foot String Band Detour Nic Gareiss & Maeve Gilchrist Claudia Schmidt & Dean McGraw Rachael Davis Red Tail Ring Alafrique The Madcat Midnight Blues Journey The Accidentals Bennett Kavazabava Michigan Songwriters- Justin VanHaven, "E" Minor, Michael Crittenden, Tracy Kash
2013
Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn La Bottine Souriante