Editor’s note: This story has been updated from the original version published May 24, 2023.
By Ramona DeGeorgio-Venegas
Four groups of “Spirits,” all with the same first name, may be found near Manistee. Each is unique, with diverse members, purposes and goals. We will highlight one Spirit in each of the next few issues. We begin with the Spirit of the Woods Folk Music Association.
This small group of dedicated volunteers is best known for organizing and hosting the annual Spirit of the Woods Folk Festival. This year marks the 45th festival, always held on the third Saturday in June. The festival takes place from noon to 8 p.m. at Dickson Township Park, 14279 Coates Highway, in Brethren.
Headlining this year’s June 17 festival is Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary. The afternoon and evening schedule for the full line-up on the Main Stage is as follows:
Previous festival musicians have come from Detroit, Louisiana, Quebec, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
This free music festival depends on generous donations and many helping hands to offer the one-day event. Several area artists painted the canvas backdrops for the stage. Besides great music heard from two stages, the festival offers crafts by local artists and food for sale. The latter will be sold this year by and for the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Manistee County, which is currently working on the James Earl Jones sculpture project.
Spirit of the Woods festival history
In 1978 a group of folk music lovers from Manistee and Benzie counties got together at the beach and over potlucks. Back then there were few area venues for live music, and an idea for a festival in the park blossomed. Early members included Tim and Wanda Joseph, Byron and Sharon Joseph, Chris and Joe Ferrer, Jack and Trish Buchanan, Jeff Rose and Mary Sue Wilkinson. The new group’s goals included promoting folk music and related arts in the area, introducing regional musicians and encouraging and helping musicians get started.
Back in the eighties, the festival was held at the Manistee County Fairgrounds and at the Kaleva Norman Dickson Schools for half a day, due to rain.
Some musicians who have played at Spirit of the Woods music events early in their careers are Ruby John, Seth Bernard/Earthworks and Billy Strings. One of the association’s first planned events was a winter concert by The Williams Family performed at the Ramsdell Theatre.
Other Spirit of the Woods musical endeavors
Over the years, the music association obtained a series of grants for “folk music in the classroom.” Thirty years later grown kids still approach Tim Joseph saying, “I remember you playing the banjo in my third-grade class.” Besides occasional concerts, the association has also sponsored The Manistee Benzie Children’s Chorus, held square dances and offered poetry readings. Brown Township Hall on Coates Highway is the venue for many of these events.
On behalf of the organization, I hope to see you at the festival on your blanket or in your lawn chair under the shady trees.
More about the festival and music association can be viewed online at spiritofthewoods.org and on the organization’s Facebook page.
Ramona DeGeorgio-Venegas is a retiree of the Manistee Ranger District, Huron-Manistee National Forest, where she worked in recreation and as an outdoor recreation planner. She has been involved with three of the four Spirit of the Woods’ organizations.
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