Bishop Hill’s Midsommar Music Festival will return Saturday, June 20th with a strong line-up of musical performers. In Sweden, Midsommar is one of the most important days of the year, rivaling Christmas with its festive spirit and traditions. Bishop Hill honors its Swedish roots by hosting its own Midsommar celebration. Highlights of this all-day event include Main Stage performances, a Swedish Maypole celebration, and an Old-Fashioned Barn Dance.
The free Main Stage performances by the village park gazebo will begin at 11 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. This year’s lineup includes Black Hawk Pipes and Drums, Big River Reeltime Band, Hammer & Pick, and the Milltown Band. Immediately following the Main Stage performances, everyone is invited to decorate the Maypole with flowers and to join the procession. Accordionist Ernie Sandquist will lead the Maypole procession. It will begin in the park and end at the Colony School where visitors can join in the Maypole dancing and have refreshments provided by the Bishop Hill Vasa Lodge. Later, at 6 p.m., there will be a barn dance at the Colony School with Ragged Robin and caller Gail Hintze. Admission to the barn dance is $5 per person.
The Midsommar Music Festival is sponsored by the Bishop Hill Arts Council, Bishop Hill Heritage Association, Bishop Hill State Historic Site, Bishop Hill Old Settler’s Association, Bishop Hill Vasa Lodge #683, and area businesses. Partial funding for this festival is provided by the Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency. For directions and more info, visit www.bishophillheritage.org , call 309-927-3899, visit the Bishop Hill Heritage Association Facebook page, or email bhha@mymctc.net.
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