YooperFest Takes Center Stage in Escanaba

ESCANABA, Mich. (WLUC) - YooperFest is a two-day summer music festival beginning Friday. It brings together a celebration of live bands from across the U.P., combined with camping, food, and a celebration of the Yooper lifestyle.

YooperFest Coordinator Mike Canull says he wanted to find a way to help local bands support one another in a spirit of community support and the love of music.

“I think that the people want music. They want live music. This is the festival feel; I wanted to make this a festival feel. Music, camping, food, beer; what else do you need,” Canull said.

The event features two alternating stages for continuous music from 16 bands. On-site camping offers water and electric hookups for those staying the weekend. Daniel Johnson traveled from Negaunee with his four teenage daughters and their band ‘Black Ice Diamonds.’ It’s an event they have been anticipating.

“Mike came up to us and asked if we’d be interested in something up here, and of course, we didn’t really realize what was going on at the time and the more he promoted it the more excited we got. This is going to be something amazing,” Johnson said.

Food trucks are also playing a major support role in the weekend festival. The Curious Pig owner Scion Petrick brings his barbecue with a twist from Crystal Falls. He appreciates supporting local communities.

“I like these nice little local events they, you know, bring these little communities together and for us, we travel a little way so it’s kind of nice they try our food out and yeah, help the community grow and come together,” Petrick said.

Music starts at 2 p.m. Saturday with performances through midnight.

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