Every Labor Day weekend since 2011, the beautiful grounds of Camp Shaw-waw-nas-see near Manteno, IL have played host to Shoe Fest. I find myself camped this year with two of my favorite fire spinners and band members from Broken Robots. Yes, everybody can get close at Shoe Fest and you never know whom you might meet. This is an eclectic music festival with something for everyone, and some things unexpected. The music is par excellence with a range and diversity festivals three times the size would be challenged to match. Here the local bands from the Midwest ply their trade next to headliners from all over. Some of this year's highlights were Ghost-Note, The Last Revel, and Molly Tuttle each filling the grounds with enthusiastic fans.
Starting two hours after the gates open, the music starts, which explains why the lines to get in start the night before. Fans setup camp while enjoying the bluegrass sounds of 'Lucky Pickers' and 'Carrie Sue and the Wood Burners' on the Bent River (upper) stage or the folkish psychedelia of Lost Pyramids and Malingo on the Happy Water (lower) stage.
The first day's crowds have now filled out and I am in a sea of fans vibing to a perennial favorite Kyle Hollingsworth Band. Kyle connects with the fans and the Old Shoe migration starts. The shows are timed such that when the band you are watching ends their set, the next band starts on the other stage 15 minutes later. A long staircase and bridge make a trail between the two stages. Foot traffic and carts traverse the route all day and night. On this first night, the folks were treated to the Last Revel, Squeaky Feet, and the fan favorite, the Old Shoe album cover set. The cheers from the crowd indicate day one has been a winner.
That is to be expected. Music is what music festivals are all about, so why is this one different? Let's start with the creek. Rock Creek, a tributary of the Kankakee River, runs through the property bisecting the upper and lower stages. This is no ordinary creek but a clear cool stream that offers the attendees a place to relax out of the sun while still able to hear the music. Go to the creek anytime during the day and you will see multitudes of families enjoying time together splashing and playing while the parents chill. That’s the next part, the families.
Many people bring their children to music fests, but I know of no other festival where the parents feel safe allowing their children to explore independently. I asked several parents how they felt about the event and bringing their children. A couple from Chicago I have seen every year admit they came the first year to check out the event and immediately wished they had brought their son. All the parents I spoke to said they had no fear allowing their children to explore the grounds noting that everyone here is like family, and they felt the children were always being watched over, even when out of sight.
This is a place where you can just be yourself. There are no titles or pumped-up egos here. Shoe allows all the attendees to mingle and enjoy the camaraderie of other people. Here people who farm, plumb, and work in retail sales mingle with consultants, entrepreneurs, and rock stars all on a level field. As I stand by the creek looking at the happy families I note the young man next to me wearing long pants. "Not going in the creek? You're missing out!" He gives me a chuckle and says he is just minding his son but has to go on stage soon. That is when I recognized Crain Baumann, not the amazing percussionist from the People Brothers Band, but Craig the dad, doing his dad duties. Later he and Theresa Marie will be sheading the solitude of night, but for now, we are just two guys watching the happy people on the creek.
Day two kicks off with Maygen and the Birdwatcher, Janky Limo, Allie and the Night Krals and Neighbor. The fans are still filling in while the early arrivals take advantage of a place on the rail. Janky Limo imported the whole family (fans) filling the spectator area and putting on a show that was the talk of the day. Allie Kral brought us her wonderful blend of folk and rock, not to be missed. The creek is full of families beating the mid-day heat as Neighbor brings the perfect accompaniment to a day with friends.
Kids' activities are planned throughout the weekend. In the lower stage area, bubbles fill the air as artists both musical and physical display their trade. Jon Griffin brings his painting expertise to the young and young at heart. Jon is right down on the tarps with the children encouraging them and assisting them with their creations. Tim Fitzgerald likewise is in the midst of youth with his kid's percussion sessions. Mr. Dave gives the youngsters their own concert on the big stage with songs directed to them. This year the children were given their own merchant row allowing them to make and sell their own art at the Kids’ Fair by the upper stage.
As the sun sets, Chicago Farmer and Mr.Blotto set the pace for night two. Cody Diekhoff, aka Chicago Farmer, gets the crowd on their feet with songs of life and living. Paul Bolger (aka Mr. Blotto) and company are a not-to-be-missed part of the Chicago music scene. Scorching through known tunes the crowd craves both acts are always packed. Old Shoe put on a funky fantastic trip night two filling the grounds of the lower stage, but the night held more surprises. My campmates woke me up, both literally and intellectually to a phenomenon called Ghost-Note. The band embodies funk, soul, hip-hop, and jazz with an amazing array of talent. Later we saunter on down for an audio-visual treat named Spooklights, just the right way to end the scheduled day. The day doesn't really end as the continual campfire attracts musicians, professional and amateur, to an acoustic session late into the night. Jaik Willis, Stephen Jude, and Elix Smith appear on the sidelines and then enthrall late-night listeners with a deluge of fine tonality.
Camp Shaw’s staff provides the Big Event of the weekend, the annual Duck Race. Staffers with tongue-in-cheek monikers like ‘Z’ and 'Machete’ melt into the kindly camp counselors they really are. Z parades the youngsters down to the creek and then leads them in a countdown for Machete to release the ducks. The kids young and old thrill as the tiny rubber ducks race with the current and a ‘winner’ is announced. Everyone is a winner as the race is all in good fun, but the biggest smiles are on the faces of the staffers. The kids' activities close out with a Kung Fu lesson from Ben Rogers and a Teen Jam on the big stage.
Sunday Funday starts with Broken Robots bringing the crow together just in time for Mike "Deuces" memorial group photo. All in attendance are encouraged to squeeze together so Alex Mason can get them in the photo. Alex makes production of the photo such a show it is as much fun as the rest of the weekend. The never-miss Sunday sets keep going with fan favorites Chicago Farmer, Dan Bern, Family Groove Company and the Scott Tipping Band paving the way with something for everyone heading into the weekend's big night.
Cornmeal starts off the after-dinner entertainment with special guest Allie Kral. They pick up right where they left off years ago playing seamlessly. The People Brothers Band puts the Souls into the evening with Teresa Marie's voice making us wish that it all would never end. Now the tension is really building as the entire encampment awaits Molly Tuttle and the Golden Highway. They take the stage dressed to impress. This is a tribe of seasoned professionals all with astounding talent and above average beauty, yet they are infinitely relatable. Molly tells us her grandparents are in the audience and live right here in the heart of the Midwest. She also notes that she has never played a concert with fire spinners next to the stage, Welcome to Shoe Fest Molly.
The weekend closes out with the Shoe String band… a collection of musicians enjoying the moment and playing for themselves as much as the audience. The crowd mellows, it's hard to keep up with this leave of happy cheering for three days, and friends, now part of our families start the process of goodbye-ing. The campfire will draw one last night session and kids will dream of days spent on the creek-side and what new adventure next year will bring.
Check out MORE PHOTOS from the weekend!
