Art installations as far as the eye can see, eight days filled with music, and people who have traveled from all over the country. What do these have in common? You can find them at Electric Forest Festival. Thousands of people travel to West Michigan over June 21-24 and June 28-July 1 to experience the festival. This two weekend, multi-genre festival includes music, art, and more in Rothbury, a town north of Muskegon and only an hour from Grand Rapids. What started as a small jam band festival has now turned into a major music festival that has even been nominated for Electronic Music Awards’ Festival of the Year.
Last year, a couple of friends and I decided last minute that we wanted to experience the festival ourselves. We bought tickets the day before weekend two of the festival. By the end of the weekend, we found ourselves leaving Rothbury with new friends, new music, and a longing to come back to the festival the next year.
Not only will I be attending the festival this year, but this summer, I’m taking a short break from Hello West Michigan and will be working for Blackthorn Productions, a decor, operational logistics, and artist hospitality company that is an integral part of making Electric Forest Festival a reality. As I look back on my experience last year and prepare to go to Electric Forest this year for an extended period, I’m giving this year’s festival-goers my tips and tricks.
- Bring a hydration pack. Electric Forest has water stations everywhere but bringing a reusable water bottle could mean having to leave mid-concert to get more water. Don’t waste time by having to constantly fill up your bottle. Many hydration packs hold up to two liters of water and can keep you hydrated throughout multiple concerts.
- Prepare for any kind of weather. Michigan summers are gorgeous, but being outside all day means rain or cold are possible. Last year, rain between the two festival weekends meant mud on the festival grounds, and many festival-goers weren’t prepared for that. Make sure to pack a rain jacket, boots, and an extra blanket in case the weather changes. Additionally, a Ziploc bag for your phone and a waterproof cover for your backpack can also help you stay dry.
- Bring a hammock. As it says in the name, Electric Forest Festival includes a gorgeous forest filled with art, music, and plenty of places to hammock. Hammocking in the forest is the perfect way to relax after walking around the festival all day.
Electric Forest Festival is just one of thousands of events happening in West Michigan. From one of the largest art competitions in the world to stunning beaches and trails, West Michigan has lots to do and see. Your experience in West Michigan doesn’t have to end at Electric Forest Festival. To find more things to do in West Michigan, check out our arts, culture, and entertainment page.
