The Midland ballpark, home of the minor league baseball team The Great Lakes Loons, has proven to be a grand slam as a venue for patrons to sample homegrown libations from some of the finest breweries and distilleries this thirsty state has to offer. This year’s third annual extravaganza, to take place on Saturday, August 17, 2024, from 2-7 p.m., will also feature some of the Great Lakes Bay Region’s most notable musical acts: Empty Canvas and Fröhliche Musiker Blasorchester or FMB.
Great Lakes Beer Festival continues its run at Dow Diamond in Midland
By Jon Becker May 21, 2024 2:07 pm
Third annual festival date set for Aug. 17
There are a lot of beer festivals in Michigan, but there’s only one Great Lakes Beer Festival, an annual celebration of the craft beer community that takes place at beautiful Dow Diamond.
There is just something special about enjoying music, food and a quality beverage on a sunny summer day at a minor league baseball stadium with big league amenities. If you’re a festival lover, would you rather swelter inside a crammed beer tent or on a dusty dry field or make your way around the well-appointed Dow Diamond? Plus, patrons don’t have to stand in line in a parking lot or field waiting for a Porta-Potty to become available.
“Dow Diamond is the perfect venue,” said Ed Fritz, Great Lakes Beer Festival Event Director. “The breweries are set up on the concourses, the patrons have relief from the sun, and there’s no worry of a rainout. The Great Lakes Beer Festival provides the unique opportunity to go down on the field where a Cornhole Tournament will be played as well as other lawn games like fowling and basket pong.”
An impressive starting lineup of more than 70 breweries, distilleries, cideries and meaderies are expected to be on tap this year. Michigan ranks among the top in the nation for number of breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, but our story transcends sheer numbers. It’s the talented and eclectic collection of artisans, many of whom bailed on successful and lucrative careers in other fields, to follow their passion for brewing and distilling, that make our industry the blossoming economic and social engine that it is.
Hundreds of people attended the Great Lakes Beer Festival on Aug. 19 at Dow Diamond. By Doug Julian
Hundreds of people attended the Great Lakes Beer Festival on Aug. 19 at Dow Diamond. By Doug Julian
The concourse at Dow Diamond was buzzing with activity for the second annual Great Lakes Beer Festival Aug. 19, 2023. By Chuck Marshall – LifeInMichigan/For MI Brew Trail
“We’ll have breweries from all over the state, each with their own unique story behind them and quality beverages in front of them,”: Fritz said. “It’s truly a celebration of an industry that continues to be a part of our state’s economic renaissance.”
Beers may be the headliner (it is a beer festival after all), but there is an added sense of excitement this year because of performance art group Empty Canvas and FMB.
“Empty Canvas is not only a musical group, it’s a unique combination of live music and art,” Fritz notes. “During their performance, lead singer Mike McMath completes an entire painting while singing. At the end of the performance, we will auction off the painting.”
Empty Canvas was founded by McMath, who enjoys performing with his twin brother Scott. Empty Canvas has performed at a wide variety of events across the state of Michigan, including the Best of Michigan Awards Show 3 of the past 4 years. They’ve also performed in Milwaukee, Chicago, Dallas, New York, Denver, and Atlanta, and would love to add your festival or event to their list.
FMB, meanwhile, is comprised of 14 amazing musicians from mid-Michigan. They are a fun, high-energy polka band. They wear full costumes for each performance and encourage lots of audience participation so everyone has a great time. Some of their recent performances include St. Joseph’s Shrine Oktoberfest 2023, Dark Horse Brewery’s Oktoberfest 2022 and 2023, Gaylord’s Alpenfest 2023, and Midland Brewing Company’s 2023 Fall Festival.
“We’re excited to add Empty Canvas and FMB to this year’s lineup. The atmosphere is going to be amazing”, said Fritz.
The Great Lakes Beer Festival will happen, rain or shine. All vendors are set up on the concourses out of the elements, meaning customers can sample their beverages out of the sun or rain as the case may be.
Patrons can save $10 on general admission tickets by purchasing them in advance. There are VIP (advance purchase only) & Designated Driver ticket options. VIP includes a catered buffet in the suite level at Dow Diamond with air-conditioning and private bathrooms as part of the package.
More details at GreatLakesBeerFestival.com