Truckin’ Into Hoxey fest debuts with psychedelic playground; Unity Festival returns
The two-day Truckin’ Into Hoxey music festival boasts a headlining performance by the Michigan-based Grateful Dead tribute band, Manitou Truckin’ Company, along with other popular regional acts.
The build-up on social media tells the story of the inaugural Truckin’ Into Hoxey music festival.
“Bringing the Grateful Dead vibes back to the live music scene.”
“Hippie outfits are encouraged.”
“Grab your dancing shoes.”
The two-day event, rolling out Friday and Saturday at the Wellston site of the former Hoxeyville Music Festival, boasts a headlining performance by the Michigan-based Grateful Dead tribute band, Manitou Truckin’ Company, along with other popular regional acts such as West Michigan bluegrass favorites The Smokin’ Dobroleles, jam band The Turnips and blues outfit Joe Johnson & The Bluebacks.
“As much as we wish it was, this is not Hoxeyville Music Festival,” festival organizer Camp Skunk Productions stresses in describing the new event online. “Same vibe, different organizers.”
Nevertheless, the festival taking place the same weekend and on the same site as Hoxeyville, which ended its long run amid the Manistee National Forest in 2024 amid financial issues and artist cancellations, has captivated many Hoxey attendees
Organizers put out a call to “deadheads, live music lovers and festival wanderers,” vowing that the event would transform the site “into a psychedelic playground of peace, music and tie-dye soul.”
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Other regional performers on the bill include The Sundogs, Lost in the Woods, Herb & Hanson, Sweet Dee & The Wild Honeys, WSKF and Venus Envy, with “a handful of craft and food vendors” also on hand. A laser light show also is planned.
General admission weekend tickets are $100.55, with day passes costing $63.80, available online at campskunkproductionsllc.ludus.com, along with details, rules and more information.
Gates open at 3 p.m. Friday. The festival site is located at 11130 W. 48-1/2 Road, Wellston, about 104 miles north of Grand Rapids..
While Truckin’ Into Hoxey celebrates its debut, another Michigan festival marks its 25th anniversary this weekend.
The Unity Christian Music Festival returns to Heritage Landing in Muskegon with a host of Christian music stars, including award-winning artists Steven Curtis Chapman, Matthew West and Crowder.
The four-day festival began with a free day on Wednesday, headlined by singer-songwriter Ben Fuller.
Passes for Thursday-Saturday are $114.65 (or $73.45 for a one-day pass) available online at unitymusicfestival.com, along with the full festival schedule. Tickets at the gate are $115 and $75.
Heritage Landing is located at 1050 W. Seventh St. in Muskegon.
Other artists performing at the festival include Rebecca St. James, Sidewalk Prophets, Tasha Layton and Andrew Ripp. Chapman’s appearance at Unity also marks the 25th anniversary of his Grammy Award-winning album, “Speechless.”
— Find more Michigan music news and concert listings at LocalSpins.com. Email John Sinkevics at john@localspins.com.
