Common Ground Music Festival

Common Ground Music Festival
Genre Rock, World, Electronic, Comedy, Country, Reggae, Folk, Hip Hop, Dance, Pop
Dates Early-Mid July
Location(s) Lansing, Michigan
Years active 2000–Present
Website
commongroundfest.com
Common Ground Main Stage

The Common Ground Music Festival is an annual week-long music festival that takes place in downtown Lansing, Michigan. The July festival, which began in the year 2000 and attracts 50,000-plus people each year, is located at the Louis Adado Riverfront Park along the Grand River.[1][2] Co-created by Center Park Productions and Meridian Entertainment Group, it showcases national and regional artists in contemporary and classic rock, pop, alternative, folk, country, hip hop, and R&B music.[3]

A year-round staff of about 10 people plan and organize the festival each year and get help from nearly 200 volunteers during the week of the event. Stage hands and temporary workers are hired to build the temporary structures.[4]

History

The Common Ground Music Festival was established as a not for profit 501(c)(3) corporation, Center Park Productions, in the year 2000. Center Park Productions was created by the Lansing Entertainment & Public Facilities Authority (LEPFA) in a partnership with the Meridian Entertainment Group (MEG), the creator of the festival.[3]

Peak attendance for the week occurred in 2003 at about 87,000 patrons.[5] In more recent years, crowds have been smaller, attracting between 50,000 and 60,000 people.[2][6][7]

Lineups

The festival features music from a wide range of genres, from pop, classic and modern rock, R&B and rap, to country and even blues. Several years have also included comedians. Typically each day of the festival is dedicated to a particular genre.

Local impact

The festival has generated an estimated $50 million+ for the local economy since its inception. More than $400,000 has been raised and contributed to schools, non-profits and other area organizations.[3]

Activities

Along with music the festival features a number of activities such as Ultimate Painting (a live painting competition), The Color Run, and a zip-line across the Grand River on festival grounds.[4][8][9]

External links

References

  1. ↑ Howell, Brandon (July 15, 2013). "Common Ground draws 50,000-plus to Lansing for annual music festival". Mlive.com. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Gonzalez, John (July 14, 2014). "Organizers say Common Ground Music Festival 2014 tops 50,000 in attendance". Mlive.com. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "About Us - Common Ground Music Festival". Common Ground Music Festival. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Erickson, Anne (July 7, 2014). "Common Ground draws wider crowd as 15th annual event begins Tuesday". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  5. ↑ Ross, Jeremy (July 6, 2004). "Common Ground Expectations". WILX. Retrieved July 4, 2013.
  6. ↑ Grasha, Kevin (July 14, 2013). "Common Ground comes to a close". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  7. ↑ Rzucidlo, Jason (July 23, 2011). "Common Ground comes to a close". AmericaJR.com. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Activities - Common Ground Music Festival". commongroundfest.com. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Common Ground 2014 Day One - Photo Gallery - MLive.com". Mlive.com. Retrieved July 14, 2014.