Anyone know of any family friendly fests in the Midwest?

My wife and I were discussing the upcoming festival season and how we loathe going to these drug infested raging parties that pass as festivals. I've been there and done that 20 yrs. ago and now I just want to mellow out and listen to some music or see some cool art or something. Hookahville, Hoodang, Summercamp were all hit last year and they were all just raging messes. I don't give a damn what kind of drugs people are into etc.., I just don't appreciate them being sold and used openly in front of my kids (I'm not talking about something commonly used like weed either, seems to be an explosion of powder coke around.) People just aren't respectful or discreet anymore. After attending the Hoodang, I brought up this subject on their short lived forum and was widely rebuked in posted replies for not wanting my kids to witness guys inhaling powder through their nose. I swore I would abandon the festival scene after that, but man...there are so many quality acts touring on these circuits that it will be hard to stay away. So here is the question...

Does anyone put on a small to medium family-friendly jamband type festival in the Midwest that has good music, kid's activities, and decent camping?


I just found this forum and I appreciate any help I can get here.

I am not a narc (I'm a drug counselor) and do not have a problem with responsible, discreet, respectful substance use.

I hope this isn't the can of worms it was last time I posted something like this.

 

I always feel so bad for families like you that like the music scene but have to put up with blatent drug use in front of your children. I always try to be repectful. But that's not the way a lot of people think. I can't think of any really good acts that do a festival in the midwest that isn't blown up like that. I can think of a few in NY but they are small. Fun, but small. It probably wouldn't be worth it to come here unless you really couldn't find a respectful fest where you live and really wanted to go to one.

 

I don't have kids, so I'm not always observant about these sorts of things, but the most family and kid friendly festival I've ever seen was All Good. Its not in the midwest- its in West Virginia. I am from Illinois- about 2 hours from Decatur- and I cannot think of a festival good for kids anywhere in the area. All Good has a family camping area and kids tent, and friends of mine with kids always say this is their favorite. Wish I could be of more help- I know this is a big problem for a lot of folks with kids. Best of luck

 

The Grateful Garcia Gathering is pretty family friendly. That is located in Wisconsin. There used to be a bunch of great little fests in Wisconsin and Northern, IL but ever since Bonnaroo happened the smaller fests seem to have disappeared. http://gratefulgarciagathering.com/


The Big Wu Family Reunion is a good one too. That one is in Minnesota.

There are Bluegrass festivals all over IL and WI that are family friendly too.

 

Yeah man I would highly reccommend the Big Wu Family Reunion. It is always Memorial Day weekend. I have been there the past few years and it is always a very good, friendly scene. Great music, great people, and stuff for kids to do. My friends had their little one there this year. Check it out bro. ..

 

I reccomend Schwagstock. These events are put on by this really great Dead tribute band called The Schwag. The Schwag own a beautiful camp near Salem MO where they put on these events called Schwagstocks that take place every month-six weeks during the spring,summer and early fall. You'll see bud smokin' going on but I've rarely seen people doing powder in the open. The venue called Camp Zoe is an absolutely beautiful 300 acre spread. Its an old summer camp that has all the original buildings. They have shower and laundry facilities and they have a huge clear,clean creek running right through the property. There are hiking trails and shuttles to close by canoe rental establishments.


Check out www.theschwag.com

 

Did you camp in Family Camping at Hookahville? Out in tent city it can definitely get crazy but family camping is always quiet and people who camp there are respectful of children.

Kidzjam at Hookahville is a cool place to chill with your kids during the day, lots of activities and stuff to play with/on, and other parents and kids too.

 

PS: Other family-friendly fests I've attended (with my kids) include Ripplefest in Bluffton Ohio and the smaller Ledges festivals, April's Blossom Blast, Hookahween, Smokin' Seafood, etc...andthey have a gret beach for little kids

 

I second the recommendation on Schwagstock.

 

yea i'm hoping to make it to the big wu family reunion next year, i think it would be awesome

 

Dude..........we must think alike because we chose same user name(I was here first...just kidding, I only picked it because it was'nt letting me register my usual form name.....so i'll pick another)....

I remember your posts on the hoodang board.....and although i did not flame you....i remarked that this is what to expect these days at these festivals...but there is a calm place in every fest...my area at hoodang was laid-back...

I definately disagree with the All Good recommendation....been going to fests for over 10 years and dead shows and what not for 20+ years and have not seen as open drug scene as I did at All Good.....but I have not been to the last several so maybe they cleaned it up......

Lizm suggestions were great.....were lucky to have several small fests here in Ohio....she forgot to mention Tabfest (not acid tabs but can tabs for charity) and NLQP (Nelson Ledges Quarry Park) is owned by a cool cat with two small kids (one with disability) and Ripplefest in Bluffton is owned by caring old folks (sorry carol and bill for the "old" remark) all these places have great amenities for kids and although there is still drug use going on it's not so in your face.....always ask at the gate where the family (not Phamily !) section is and you usually will be pointed in right direction....

So, my suggestion is search out these smaller festivals, might not have every artist you want to see but i know i have been turned on to many of a cool "unheard" of band this way. The Recipe Family cookouts are also low-key family fun and the black swamp arts festival in bowling green, ohio is free and always has a great music line-up and art show but it is a non camping thing but you can find cool campgrounds in the area......just some thoughts from a experienced festivarian.....BTW I'm a 41 yr. old without kids and a heavy drug user (don't drink though) but am always discreet and I have a pet peeve with people who come to these festivals for easy access to drugs and just get blasted and never even check out any music except maybe the headliners...this is what is ruining the scene....it's all about the music...i have sympathy for your situation though....peace bro....fuji

 

Check out http://www.harmonypark.com/ that is a site in south west minnesota that has a few festivals each summer, they hosted last years big wu family reunion. Its a pretty nice little scene that draws in a real friendly crowd that hasn't over done it with drugs.(except weed and mushrooms are pretty common)

 

We have a motion,and a second. All those in favor say AYE!!! The motion is carried. The Schwagstock attendees on this forum move that Mr.Charlie and his family should come to a Schwagstock next summer. See ya'll there.

www.theschwag.com

 

nope, nothing but orgies planned for the midwest in the near future.

 

yea, i live probably about an hr or so from harmony park, yet i havent been able to make it there, its said you can "walk on the lake"(theres a sand bar through the middle of the lake that you can walk from one side to the other) dont know if you can anymore though. I'm hoping to make it there a few times next year

 

Thanks for all the tips guys (and gals), hope to see you at some of these. Stop by the blue Aztek from IL and say "hi."