On this opening day of Electric Forest 2017, we would like to welcome you to the 7th annual music and camping experience of a lifetime. We are so glad that you are here with us. As we step into this journey together, we’d like to highlight a few of Electric Forest’s community-spirited activations happening this weekend, including EF’s annual Roy Price Memorial Food Drive and EF’s Music In Schools Program. Also this year, we are celebrating the life of Forest Family member Wally Wojack.
RIP WALLY WOJACK
Our dear Forest Family member Wally Wojack passed on this past April. Please take a few moments to view this video, posted on EF Social Media platforms yesterday, in memory of Wally. This year a memorial incorporating the video has been constructed in Sherwood Forest; find it on the North Side of Wally Wojack Lane. Electric Forest looks forward to creating a permanent installation for EF2018.
In 1952, Wolly Wojack purchased the 2300 acre horse ranch that is now the Double JJ. For 65 years, he tended to the land, the animals and the community in and around the property. He of course tended to, and attended, every Electric Forest. His cowboy hat framing his always-smiling face, and almost always on or at least near his favorite ATV.
Wally planted the seeds of Electric Forest, literally, when in 1955 he and a small group of fellow locals led an effort to repopulate an area of the Double JJ Ranch that had been devastated by harvesting. They planted 6’ tall white pine seedlings that - now over 70 feet tall – today make up EF’s beloved Sherwood Forest.
RIP dear Wally. Your spirit lives on with us, in so many ways.
EF2017 COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
Electric Forest is proud to call the Village of Rothbury and Grant Township, MI its home. For the past eight years, Electric Forest has been committed to giving back to the community we are so grateful to be part of.
ELECTRIC FOREST’S “ROY PRICE MEMORIAL FOOD DRIVE”
Since Electric Forest’s inception in 2011, the festival’s “Roy Price Memorial Food Drive” has donated over 76,000 pounds of food to local food banks and churches. Each year, Electric Forest’s annual Food Drive encourages patrons to donate non-perishable food items in exchange for a limited edition Electric Forest Food Drive Poster. The EF Food Drive was renamed the “Roy Price Memorial Food Drive” in 2012 to honor cherished Electric Forest neighbor and huge Food Drive supporter, the late Mr. Roy Price. Today, as the program continues to thrive and grow, Electric Forest Organizers remain ever grateful to Mr. Price, and to his wife Dolores, who continues his legacy as an invaluable Food Drive supporter.
For the 7th consecutive year, Electric Forest is teaming up with not-for-profit Conscious Alliance to host The Roy Price Memorial Food Drive. For EF2017, fans who donate 20 non-perishable food items, or a suggested monetary donation, will receive a beautiful screen printed poster created by Christian Jaxtheimer of First Earth Apparel & Design. The poster is unique to the First Weekend and the Second Weekend of EF2017. Together – they make a 2–panel poster. View limited edition EF2017 Food Drive poster HERE.
Look for the Conscious Alliance booth by the festival’s Main Entrance near the Tripolee stage, and also inside the venue on vendor row near the Ranch Arena, to donate food and receive your poster. VIP patrons will have the opportunity to donate for their posters during early entry on Wednesday, June 21st and Wednesday, June 28th. For more information, click here.
ELECTRIC FOREST MUSIC IN SCHOOLS
Electric Forest is committed to supporting and expanding music education in the local Electric Forest communities with the Music In Schools program. Since inception, Music in Schools has donated over $51,000 to local school and not-for-profit music programs, including Shelby High School, Montague High School, Arts Council of White Lake and others. Money donated has been used by the schools to purchase new uniforms and instruments, to fund music teacher salaries and student competition trips and camps, and more. Read about EF’s Music in Schools program HERE.
Be sure to keep an eye out for the Shelby High School Marching Band on Saturday afternoon -- marching onsite near the Jubilee and Hanger Stages!
We’ll continue to send you tips and highlights throughout the weekend. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if there is anything we can help you with.
Welcome to Electric Forest 2017!
