History & Photos
History of Boogie Fest, Rock, MI
Boogie Fest started in the 70’s at the Rock Lion’s Club Park by a group called the Maple Ridge Benefit Concert Association. Boogie Fest soon outgrew the local Lion’s Club Park which was situated just west of Rock. Boogie Fest was eventually moved to the east side of Rock to property purchased by Geno Kaukola. Boogie Fest soon became a Labor Day staple and was a terrific addition to the Rock Lion’s Labor Day Celebration. Boogie Fest and the Lion’s Labor Day Celebration were traditionally held on Labor Day, Boogie Fest was a one day music festival. The Maple Ridge Benefit Concert Association offered scholarships to the local school, donated money to the local ambulance service, and various organizations through the years.
Many have fond memories of Boogie Fest and many memories were made at Boogie Fest. The festival sadly came to an end in the late 80s. The end was not due to a lack of popularity of the festival, but due to some unforeseen organizational circumstances. It was a sad end to what many considered an end of summer staple celebration. Mention Labor Day in Rock, MI, and to this day, many will say, “Boogie Fest!!”
Boogie Fest Too
A Revival You Won’t Want to Miss!!
With the many fond memories of Boogie Fest, one of the local organizers was approached to bring the festival back to life in Rock–with the statement of, “You have the field for this!” A decade of thought and discussion was put into the possibilities of another festival. Only what we envisioned was a new and improved version of Boogie Fest that includes multiple days of music and the addition of camping!! The final decision to move forth and bring Boogie Fest back to life was made while sitting in a lawn chair at another festival–we truly are avid festival goers.
So, some ask where does the “too” come from in the name of the festival? The former president of the Maple Ridge Benefit Concert Association suggested that we shouldn’t call the festival Boogie Fest. The reply was, “I can too,” and the “too” stuck.
The Boogie Fest Organization has worked many long and hard hours to make “Boogie Fest Too” a reality! Many locals have stepped up and former members of the original Maple Ridge Benefit Concert Association have returned to bring you, Boogie Fest Too! All of this is in the spirit of helping our community and surrounding area with the ultimate goal to create a disaster/medical relief fund.
Rock, MI, is centrally located in the great Upper Peninsula of MI between Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. You can make Boogie Fest your Upper Peninsula vacation. The festival hosts are knowledgeable locals of the Upper Peninsula and can point you in the right direction for your explorations. Rock, MI, is the central hub to all the sights the Upper Peninsula has to offer–including National Forests, State Land and Parks, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore or spend the entire weekend in Rock! Rock has more to offer than your typical Labor Day celebration — hiking, biking, ATV riding, fishing, jeeping, canoeing, kayaking, enjoying our great outdoors, great food, and a great music festival!
Boogie Fest Too includes a different themed costume contest each year and our own campground parade. In 2023, the festival saw the addition of an ATV jeep, truck, poker run on Friday and due to the overwhelming popularity it will become a yearly staple of the festival. Fri, Sat & Sun will bring you some of the finest acts the Midwest and our local area have to offer. The lineup includes award winning acts and Nashville recording artists. It also includes a pig roast that goes on for the entire weekend along with other vendors.
You can also visit downtown Rock on Saturday for the annual Lions Club Labor Day Celebration. The celebration includes food and refreshments, games for the kiddos, and kicks off with a parade on Saturday morning.
Come on out to boogie and check out the biggest stage in Rock!
Join us for Boogie Fest Too.
It truly is a Revival You Won’t Want to Miss!