Another Summer Camp Music Festival has come and gone, and while every weekend spent at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, IL beholds something different, this weekend had an extra-special feeling to it that was hard to put your finger on. Maybe it was the seemingly yearly re-occurring thunder storm that rolled through the festival grounds mid-afternoon Friday, soaking the grounds and bringing out the inner-child in the crowd as fans stomped through the puddles with their rain boots.

On May 25, 2017, I packed up my car, picked up my brother-in-law, and headed to Chillicothe, IL for the annual Summer Camp Music Festival. However, I was not going there primarily to see Moe. and Umphrey’s McGee, along with a host of others, but to work a booth as a nonprofit. It provided a very interesting and honestly, one heck of an different experience.

Ah, the sweet sounds of Spring - While some of us spend our nights and weekends preparing for various road trips, the occasional luxurious vacation or the stereotypical retreat to Aunt Marge’s wedding recital in Northern Iowa, many Midwestern’s and music fans alike look directly towards Memorial Day weekend which can only mean one thing, Summer Camp Music Festival 2017.

The 16th annual Summer Camp Music Festival shined vibrantly Friday morning, as fans from across the nation flooded through the gates of the glorious Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, Illinois for another epic celebration of music, arts and life. Born in 2001, the monumental event has grown to be one of the most celebrated Midwest events of the summer, hosting national acts such as Neil Young, Trey Anastasio, Steve Miller Band, Tom Petty, Widespread Panic and many, many more.

In the past when I have been 3 days deep into a festival, seeing the Sunday day pass folks show up is like looking at a crystal clear waterfall.  They look so clean and refreshing.  Their energy quenches my soul, making me believe that I have a reserve tank of energy to make it through the last day here in never never land.  The juice is worth the squeeze when it comes down to it. These Sunday funday folks are here to revive the shows and bring balance and harmony to whatever mishaps and ales you have acquired along the way in the name of fun.