File photo submitted by Steve Begnoche, FLSP
HAMLIN TOWNSHIP — The Friends of Ludington State Park’s 2026 Summer Series will feature a mix of live music, nature programs, Native American drumming and family entertainment throughout the summer at Ludington State Park.
The free series begins Tuesday, June 9, with the Blue Water Ramblers performing “Music of the Great Lakes” and continues on Tuesdays and Saturdays through Aug. 29 at the park amphitheater south of the Big Sable River. Programs begin at 7 p.m.
The series is presented in conjunction with the Ludington State Park interpretive program and is supported by Safe Harbor Credit Union. Organizers said donations will be collected during the events to support the nonprofit organization’s work in the park. In the event of rain, programs will move to the Lake Michigan Beach House.
“There’s something special about gathering at the amphitheater as the sun sets. It’s pure Northern Michigan summer,” said Gary Hearing, Friends of Ludington State Park vice president and chair of the series committee. “Each evening features a rotating lineup of family-friendly entertainment.”
The lineup includes folk, Americana, jazz, reggae and Celtic music performances, along with Birds of Prey presentations from the Nature Discovery Center and appearances by Anishinaabe drummers and dancers.
Highlighted performances include Eric Engblade and Friends on June 13, Ruth and Max Bloomquist on June 27, Salt City Dixie Jazz Band on July 11, Nimkee-Mukwa on July 25 and The Magic of Kevin on Aug. 22.
The 2026 Friends of Ludington State Park Summer Series schedule includes:
- Tuesday, June 9 — Blue Water Ramblers, Music of the Great Lakes
- Saturday, June 13 — Eric Engblade and Friends, Folk-Rock with teeth
- Tuesday, June 16 — Wyatt & Shari Knapp, Americana roots
- Saturday, June 20 — Plain Jane Glory, Neo-folk Americana duo
- Tuesday, June 23 — 80 Cows, Americana, folk and old-time fiddle
- Saturday, June 27 — Ruth and Max Bloomquist, rootsy acoustic Americana folk
- Tuesday, June 30 — Eric Henning, Americana, rock and original music
- Tuesday, July 7 — Nick Veine, folk, blues and soul
- Saturday, July 11 — Salt City Dixie Jazz Band, Dixieland jazz
- Tuesday, July 14 — Birds of Prey, Nature Discovery Center
- Saturday, July 18 — Rin Tarsy, folk, pop and jazz
- Tuesday, July 21 — Pinter Whitnick, 1980s and 1990s hits
- Saturday, July 25 — Nimkee-Mukwa, Anishinaabe drummers and dancers
- Tuesday, July 28 — Ravon “Steely” Rhoden, reggae and steel drum
- Saturday, Aug. 1 — Uneven Ground, Celtic music
- Tuesday, Aug. 4 — Birds of Prey, Nature Discovery Center
- Saturday, Aug. 8 — The Langford Lads, Americana folk and instrumental
- Tuesday, Aug. 11 — Third Coast Swing Band, swing-era jazz and hot club music
- Saturday, Aug. 15 — Christian Larumbe Trio, Latin, jazz, rock and classical
- Tuesday, Aug. 18 — Canopy Space, alt-folk duo
- Saturday, Aug. 22 — The Magic of Kevin
- Saturday, Aug. 29 — Lee Murdock, Songs of the Great Lakes
For more information about Friends of Ludington State Park events, membership and volunteer opportunities, visit friendsofludingtonstatepark.org.
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