Day-to-day stories by Lissa Maki
This year’s Homegrown hullabaloo starts at noon on Sunday with the Children’s Music Showcase. It’s the third year of the family-friendly event. Attendance spiked from 100 in 2016 to more than 1,100 last year.
“That’s a huge leap and tells me that there was a gap here ready to be filled by this festival,” says coordinator Jesse Dykhuis.
Dykhuis says the showcase gives families a way to participate in the magic of the festival together and offers a way to highlight the crazy, cool and creative things local folks are doing and making.
Along with the lineup of live music, the free event at the Great Lakes Aquarium includes activities designed for kids, like a maypole, hula-hooping, face-painting, music-based movement, yoga and more.
The Homegrown Mayoral Proclamation and official launch event is at a new location this year: Hoops Brewing. Owner Dave Hoops is thrilled to host, noting the beer hall isn’t a rock-and-roll venue but can fit 300 people and was built for community events like this.
“I think it’s a perfect fit for the kickoff event,” Hoops said, “to help everyone kind of roll into Homegrown.”
Hoops will have a special beer on tap to honor Mayor Emily Larson. As for the style, Hoops intends to consult with the mayor but hints Larson is a “major hophead.”
Teague Alexy & Erik Berry close out the night at the beer hall, then Pizza Lucé will host the traditional New Band Showcase.
Click here for the most updated schedule!