Fun Fest returns to Ypsilanti for sixth year with 13 music acts

For the sixth year in a row, Fundamental Sound Co. is hosting Fun Fest, an outdoor event that offers live music, art, vendors and good vibes.

Fun Fest will be held at Frog Island Park in Ypsilanti on Saturday, Aug. 8, 1-10:30 p.m. The afterparty will be at Ziggy's from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Taylor Greenshields, the organizer, director and sound engineer for Fun Fest, started hosting the event in 2021.

"This is our sixth year of Fun Fest. It started in 2021 and it's mostly about music. There's lots of bands. We usually have at least seven bands. This year we have a main stage lineup, and then we have an acoustic stage lineup of four artists, as well. That is a new thing for this year," Greenshields said.

Greenshields had often noticed that the stage at Frog Island Park was empty the majority of the time. He had always wanted to do something on that stage.

"I just love seeing everyone getting together in that park and that space," Greenshields said. "I don't think I would do this festival unless it was for that park on that stage. It's just a celebration of the stage and getting the community together and making music."

Each year, Greenshields sees all kinds of people attend Fun Fest. He said that usually between 300 and 500 people attend the event each year, with attendees coming and going throughout the 12-hour day.

For this year's Fun Fest there will be a total of 13 artists performing.

Tikimen of Berlin, James Bourland and The Staches, Skinned Knees, Blaine Luis, Maddy Ringo, Sophiyah and S.O.L Tribe, Carmel Liburdi, Gabriel Brass Band, Adam Snyder, The Pherotones, and Pajamas with special guest Rik Strange will be performing throughout the day.

There will be an afterparty at Ziggy's where Rose Tones and Violet Sol will be playing music.

"It's a free festival, however, we have a suggested a donation of $20 and so there will be a ticket link available through a QR code and people can buy tickets that way," Greenshields said. "Or, you know, they can sit and enjoy the music for free. It's up to them."

For those who wish to make a donation to Fun Fest, the link to do so can be found here.