Submitted by Eaton Rapids Ukelele Festival
(Photos provided: The Fabulous Heftones will take the Gazebo Stage at 1:30 p.m.)
Mark your calendars for August 5, 2023 – the inaugural Eaton Rapids Island Ukulele Festival. The event will be held annually on the first Saturday of every August at Island (GAR) Park. The lovely gazebo on the Island Park is surrounded by the Grand River and shaded by trees which will be the main site of activities. Ample free parking is available adjacent to the Island Park.
This year the festival runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The festival will start with local players, followed by workshops. A break for lunch is planned from noon to 1:30 p.m. and attendees are sure to find several restaurants within a five-minute walk.
At 1:30 p.m., The Fabulous Heftones – Brian and Lynn Hershberger Hefferan – will perform on the Gazebo stage. We will then have an open mic session following. Drawings for several ukuleles will be followed by a ukulele jam. One of the drawings will be for a Watermann Grape KA-SWF-PL that will be awarded to a lucky winner age 13 years or younger! Bring your child and have them enter the drawing (must be present at the end of the festival to win).
Vendors will be on hand throughout the day. Vendor space is still available; interested vendors may reach out via Facebook messenger or email paulsamcolegrove@gmail.com for details. Find the event page on Facebook at Eaton Rapids Island Ukulele Festival.
Free-will donations, after operating expenses, will be given to Heart & Hands Food Pantry of Eaton Rapids (a 501c3 organization).
