Blab Music
17th Annual Sun Dried Music Festival Returns to Mason, Michigan, August 28-30
Sun Dried Music Festival is set to light up downtown Mason for its 17th year, kicking off on Friday, August 28, and running through Sunday, August 30, 2026. The free, nonprofit gathering is organized by Wolverine Engineers & Surveyors and has become a Mid‑Michigan staple for 17 seasons.
The main stage will host a blend of local and regional talent. Confirmed performers include Madison Olivia, Homespun, Kaelee & Matt Foreman, Generator, Sea Cruisers, Swamp Gas, School of Rock, The Pocket, Root Doctor, Almost Stellar, and Global Village. Meanwhile, the second stage will feature Overtone, Conflict Alert, Probably Reptiles, and 11 Across, with all acts playing throughout the weekend.
Beyond music, festivalgoers will find a lively mix of vendors and activities. Food stalls will showcase local cuisine, while craft and retail vendors sell handmade goods. A dedicated beer tent—priced at $5 for entry—will house the Sun Dried Beer Tent and Boss Cider, which will debut an exclusive Sun Dried Seltzer. Additional attractions include a kids’ entertainment area, a Saturday cornhole tournament, and displays from community organizations and sponsors.
Friday night will open with a country‑music theme, followed on Saturday by “Rock the Block,” a mix‑genre showcase. The Star Spangled Banner will precede entertainment on both Friday and Saturday, a new tradition announced by co‑organizer Sharla Horton. Horton explained that the festival “has always been about more than music. It’s about bringing people together, supporting local businesses, creating memories with family and friends, and celebrating everything that makes our community special.” She added that the event remains free, with the beer tent as the sole paid element.
Sunday will close with a community worship service hosted by the Mason Area Ministerial Association, a longstanding feature that draws attendees from across the region.
The festival relies on volunteer support and community sponsorship. Wolverine Engineers & Surveyors is the presenting sponsor, and other contributors include Oracle Financial Solutions, the Mason Downtown Development Authority, Xfinity, Commercial Bank, Eaton Rapids Medical Center, and MMR. According to the festival’s release, these partners help keep the event free for all attendees.
Horton hinted that news about next year’s lineup will be announced during the event, though no specifics have been released. She emphasized the festival’s role as a “Hallmark community” that offers a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds.
Set in the historic downtown area of Mason—a city of 8,283 residents and the county seat of Ingham County—the festival’s free admission and family‑friendly programming have drawn visitors from across Mid‑Michigan for nearly two decades.
The 17th edition of the Sun Dried Music Festival continues the tradition of providing a community gathering that supports local artists, businesses, and organizations while offering a diverse musical lineup and a range of family activities. Organizers confirm that the event will remain free for the public, with the beer tent as the only paid component.
The festival will run from August 28 to 30, 2026, and will conclude with a worship service on Sunday. Attendees are encouraged to bring friends and family to experience the music, food, and community spirit that have defined the Sun Dried Music Festival for 17 years.
For more information, festival organizers recommend visiting the official website or contacting the Mason Downtown Development Authority.
The main stage will host a blend of local and regional talent. Confirmed performers include Madison Olivia, Homespun, Kaelee & Matt Foreman, Generator, Sea Cruisers, Swamp Gas, School of Rock, The Pocket, Root Doctor, Almost Stellar, and Global Village. Meanwhile, the second stage will feature Overtone, Conflict Alert, Probably Reptiles, and 11 Across, with all acts playing throughout the weekend.
Beyond music, festivalgoers will find a lively mix of vendors and activities. Food stalls will showcase local cuisine, while craft and retail vendors sell handmade goods. A dedicated beer tent—priced at $5 for entry—will house the Sun Dried Beer Tent and Boss Cider, which will debut an exclusive Sun Dried Seltzer. Additional attractions include a kids’ entertainment area, a Saturday cornhole tournament, and displays from community organizations and sponsors.
Friday night will open with a country‑music theme, followed on Saturday by “Rock the Block,” a mix‑genre showcase. The Star Spangled Banner will precede entertainment on both Friday and Saturday, a new tradition announced by co‑organizer Sharla Horton. Horton explained that the festival “has always been about more than music. It’s about bringing people together, supporting local businesses, creating memories with family and friends, and celebrating everything that makes our community special.” She added that the event remains free, with the beer tent as the sole paid element.
Sunday will close with a community worship service hosted by the Mason Area Ministerial Association, a longstanding feature that draws attendees from across the region.
The festival relies on volunteer support and community sponsorship. Wolverine Engineers & Surveyors is the presenting sponsor, and other contributors include Oracle Financial Solutions, the Mason Downtown Development Authority, Xfinity, Commercial Bank, Eaton Rapids Medical Center, and MMR. According to the festival’s release, these partners help keep the event free for all attendees.
Horton hinted that news about next year’s lineup will be announced during the event, though no specifics have been released. She emphasized the festival’s role as a “Hallmark community” that offers a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds.
Set in the historic downtown area of Mason—a city of 8,283 residents and the county seat of Ingham County—the festival’s free admission and family‑friendly programming have drawn visitors from across Mid‑Michigan for nearly two decades.
The 17th edition of the Sun Dried Music Festival continues the tradition of providing a community gathering that supports local artists, businesses, and organizations while offering a diverse musical lineup and a range of family activities. Organizers confirm that the event will remain free for the public, with the beer tent as the only paid component.
The festival will run from August 28 to 30, 2026, and will conclude with a worship service on Sunday. Attendees are encouraged to bring friends and family to experience the music, food, and community spirit that have defined the Sun Dried Music Festival for 17 years.
For more information, festival organizers recommend visiting the official website or contacting the Mason Downtown Development Authority.
