WHERE / WHEN

The CowPie Blues Festival is held annually on the second full weekend of August at Shagbark Farm in Alaska, Michigan. The 2010 festival will be held on Friday, August 13th and Saturday, August 14th.
Directions to the Cowpie.

TICKETS

The Cowpie Blues Festival Advance sale weekend tickets are $35.00 per person and are available at all Michigan Star-TicketsPlus ticket locations in all west Michigan Meijer Stores or at www.starticketsplus.com. Beginning June 1st, 2010 at 10:00am.

CAMPING

Camping for both Friday and Saturday nights is free with a weekend ticket. Friday only tickets do not allow camping. Saturday tickets allow you to camp on Saturday night only. You must have a weekend or Saturday only ticket to get into the camping area. All camping is free with an appropriate ticket. All camping is primitive (no water or electric hook-ups).

Gates will open Saturday at 9am for Saturday only ticket holders and Saturday only campers.

No camping site may be reserved. If you’re on the site you have it if your not you don’t….

Camping is primitive but there are porta-potties, ice and water. There are many stores nearby. You may bring all the food and beverage you may need but you can't bring it into the concert site...keep it at your campsite. There are many vendors that sell food and beverages in the concert site please visit them since they are all Cowpie Festival supporters. You may also cook at your camp site but remember that no open fires are allowed so bring your grill or camp stove.

Driving in the camping area will be prohibited (you will be escorted off Shagbark property by The Kent County Sheriff, so it’s up to you) after dark due to the lack of camping area lighting and the inherent dangers of driving in the camping area. I mean come on, this should be a no brainer….so get your stuff and supplies to your camp prior to dark, even I can do that!

The concert area has some lights at night, the camping area has none...so bring your flashlights

HOTEL

We have had quite a few requests regarding hotel accommodations near the Cowpie and are pleased to announce that we have just reconfirmed our agreement with The Comfort Inn in Kentwood for a "Cowpie Comfort" package. Anyone that would like to go to the Cowpie and have a hot shower and comfortable bed should enjoy two nights accommodation at The Comfort Inn Grand Rapids, about 6 miles from the Cowpie site, and two weekend tickets to the 2010 Cowpie. In addition parking is free and you get a great free breakfast! Really though, isn't the shower enough of a benefit....anyway, the package is only $220.00 double occupancy (that's $110 per person for the whole weekend) and must be reserved by calling 616-957-2080. Please tell the reservationist that you are calling about the Cowpie Blues Festival Package.

Any questions please contact us at cowpiebluesfestival@yahoo.com

TIMES

Gates and the campground open at 2:30pm on Friday, August 13th, the day of the festival. The Friday show will begin at 4:30pm and run until 12 midnight. The Saturday show will begin at 11am and run until 12 midnight. There will be about 19 hours of music!

WHAT TO EXPECT

The festival is an outdoor event and will be held rain or shine. No refunds will be given for inclement weather.

The festival is held on forty acres of a working cattle farm, where else would we get the Cowpie name? Don't worry the pies have been removed weeks before the festival. DO NOT cross fence lines since they may be in use restraining cattle from the festival site so when your walking around the festival always use the gated entrances.

Day parking is included in the ticket price. The parking area is close to the concert area. The parking and concert areas have lights at night.

Remember that this is a working cattle farm so you will be in farm fields...this is not The Hilton but it is a very nice area. We mow the fields twice prior to the festival. Lawn chairs, blankets and shade tents are welcome (and suggested) in the concert area.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Absolutely no alcohol or food may be brought into the concert area but you can bring whatever beverages or food you desire to your campsite or your car (exceptions will be made for small children and special needs). Access to the parking lot and camping area is easy and always available.

The concert area is fenced off from the camp ground and parking areas and there are plenty of gates into the concert area from the camp ground and parking areas. Adults may purchase food and beverages from the festival vendors in the concert area. Please support the festival vendors since they help make it possible to produce the Cowpie Blues Festival. Remember, you may bring whatever supplies you may need to your camp site!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please do not bring pets of any kind, we will not let them in and we will not let you lock them in your car. Our festival site is a working cattle farm and the cattle just don’t get along with other animals.

No fires ever!!! The Caledonia Township Fire Department will put out your fire for you and YOU WILL BE CHARGED for their services. It’s not us to us anymore! Camping stoves and above ground charcoal grills are okay IF THEY ARE BEING WATCHED.

*In consideration of the price paid for admission, The Michigan Heritage Music Association and The Cowpie Blues Festival grants to the holder a revocable license to attend The Cowpie Blues Festival. Licensee agrees to abide by all rules governing The Cowpie Blues Festival and acknowledges that the license granted hereby may be revoked without refund for violation of said rules. Scheduled festival events will proceed regardless of weather conditions. The Michigan Heritage Music Association or The Cowpie Blues Festival shall issue no refunds on account of inclement weather.