Weather or not, Middle Bass Music Fest 2024

By Peter Huston

Can you believe it’s just a few days short of 4 months to the 2024 Middle Bass Island Music Festival July 13^th? If you missed last year’s music fest because of the weather, don’t let the rain and wind keep you away this year. We persevered and had an amazing standing room only day of music, arts and food under the picnic pavilion dancing the day away.

We are ready to do it all over again, and with a little help from the weather gods, we will have more great food and music. LEIC board member and Middle Bass Music Fest band curator Bruce Miles has put together another amazing line up of toe tapping bands.

The NORTH COAST GOATS (https://www.facebook.com/northcoastgoats/ ) lead off again with their #goatsrock blend of old-time rock ‘n’ roll, classic rock and Motown hits from the 60s, 70s & 80s – and you know they will not disappoint!

Tip of the cowboy hat to our music meister Bruce. He found a real Texas tornado in TALL PAUL & WESTERN DRAWL They celebrate the spirit of dance hall Western Swing music, playing roadhouse standards, along with cowboy songs and ballads. It’s pure uptown fun with a Texas drawl. Tall Paul & Western Drawl, honoring the swing tradition but with modern musical twang.

(https://www.facebook.com/TallPaulWesternDrawl/)

Third up this year at the MBI Music Fest is Cleveland blues rock favorite, award winning, harmonica driven, blues based, roots, rock and soul music’ stylings of COLIN DUSSAULT’S BLUES PROJECT. The band was formed in Cleveland, Ohio in May of 1989 by lead singer, songwriter, harmonica player Colin Dussault. In addition to Dussault, the band’s current lineup consists of guitarist Jim Feeney, bassist John Atzberger, pianist Brent Lane and drummer Steve Zavesky. (www.colindussault.com )

DRY REEF-This year’s featured island groove band will take you away to the warm breezes and summer days on the beach. A chaotic blend of summer sounds – playful melodies, bubbling harmonies and bright, refreshing instrumentals. Like that first smell of lake air as you ferry to Middle Bass on a friday afternoon.   (www.dryreefband.com and https://www.facebook.com/Dry.Reef/)

Don’t miss the 2024 Middle Bass Music Fest, hosted by the Lake Erie Islands Conservancy, on the grounds of Lonz Winery. It’s free to get in. Come enjoy great music, a hands-on arts tent, shop local vendors and dine on delicious food. Sponsored by the Middle Bass Island Dock Company and the Island Grind.

The Middle Bass Music Fest is brought to you by The Middle Bass Dock Company, The Middle Bass State Park & Ohio Department of Natural Resources, The Island Grind at the Lonz Winery Presshouse, Lake Erie Shores and Islands, Ohio Arts Council, Middle Bass Men’s Club, Darkside Operations LLC and your Lake Erie Islands Conservancy www.lakeerieislandsconservancy.org   Lake Erie Islands Conservancy will be the recipient of any proceeds from this event.   They will also be selling tee shirts, tote bags and handing out a variety of information on our island activities and preserves.  Learn about how you can help preserve island property for future generations. 

There will be an extra Miller ferry at 7:00pm from Middle Bass to take back attendees-no cars.

Benny on Bass will be making an appearance again as our music fest icon.  

HOW DO YOU GET TO MIDDLE BASS?  

There are several ways to get to Middle Bass Island that don’t involve your own boat. The best option is Miller Ferry from Catawba. Www.millerferry.com

take the 10:15 am or 12:15 pm from catawba to middle bass. Return to catawba at 5:15 pm or 7:00 pm.

Or From Port Clinton take the Jet Express to Put-in-Bay. Then, hop on the Sonny S water taxi to Middle Bass from Put-in-Bay.

Sonny S from downtown Put-in-Bay to Middle Bass Island. Sonny S is a frequent water taxi service between the two islands.  Or checkout the InterIsland Charters on Facebook for their schedule.

Miller Ferry from Catawba Island to Middle Bass. The last Miller Ferry back to catawba on Saturday is at 7:00 pm. Website: https://www.millerferry.com/

Jet Express from Port Clinton to Put-in-Bay. This is another great option from the mainland. As mentioned above, to get to the show, first take the Jet Express to Put-in-Bay. From there, get the Sonny S to Middle Bass Island. When returning this route also works well because the Jet Express runs boats back to Port Clinton late into the night.

Website: https://jet-express.com/the- jet-express/

Check the boat company websites for more details.

Hope to see you on Middle Bass Island. It’s going to be a fun day-and a great way to support the Conservancy!