A shot of a previous Great Lakes Folk Festival in East Lansing that the city used in its 2010-2011 Community Guide. Event organizers hope the Red Cedar Roots Festival brings a similar energy at its inaugural event later this month.

First-ever Red Cedar Roots Festival to Bring Same Culture, Energy as Great Lakes Folk Festival

The Great Lakes Folk Festival was a staple annual event in East Lansing for decades. Since the festival was canceled in 2018, organizers and attendees alike have been hoping to bring something similar back to the area. 

On Friday, Aug. 14 and Saturday, Aug. 15, the Red Cedar Roots Festival will bring the same type of rich culture and diverse musical lineup folks were familiar with. Event organizer Juliet Levy-Weston said East Lansing Councilmember Mark Meadows was a strong advocate for East Lansing hosting the National Folk Festival from 1999 to 2001. The Great Lakes Folk Festival was the successor to that event, and took place in East Lansing from 2002 to 2017.

“Meadows has been hoping to bring back something like the Great Lakes Folk Festival and was instrumental in helping organize a community panel to discuss the feasibility of the city planning and presenting a festival in the spirit of GLFF,” Levy-Weston said. “The committee began meeting in the fall of 2024 and by late spring 2025, brought back the finding that a festival was feasible. I think it is interesting to note a community survey about the festival generated about 600 comments and they were overwhelmingly positive about a return of an event like the Great Lakes Folk Festival.”

Other event organizers include Micah Ling, who booked the talent, and Sarah Reckhow, chair of the East Lansing Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. Together, along with other volunteers, the team has been busy working behind-the-scenes to “put together a showcase of music and traditions represented by people right here in Michigan,”  Levy-Weston said.

“Our goal this year is to remind Greater Lansing of the wonderful feelings of community and fun that so many enjoyed during the GLFF years,” she added, “and to experience some of the rich and varied music and dance traditions of our region through this year’s programming.”

The Red Cedar Roots lineup on Friday includes: The Velvet Boys (early country) from 6:30 to 7:20 p.m., and Kritya Dance Ensemble (Indian Kuchipudi dance) from 7:40 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday’s lineup includes The Flint Southernaires (quartet gospel) from 5 to 5:50 p.m., Celestina y Los Sanchez (Tejano/conjunto) from 6:10 to 7 p.m., Yamini Kalluri and Kritya Music Ensemble (Indian Kuchipudi dance and Carnatic music) from 7:30 to 8:20 p.m., and Wilson Thicket (bluegrass/Americana) from 8:40 to 9:30 p.m. 

The festival footprint is on Albert Avenue between M.A.C. Avenue and Grove Street in downtown East Lansing. Attendees are encouraged to enjoy food at more than a dozen restaurants nearby, and can find more information on parking online. 

Levy-Weston said the roofed stage will provide lots of space for everyone to see and hear the entertainment. Although the Red Cedar Roots Festival is more compact than GLFF, the talent is just as authentic. There will also be an activity tent for children with simple craft projects and musical instruments to try.

“I’m looking forward to being in that Folk Festival Vibe,” Levy-Weston said, “everyone listening, interacting with their neighbors and just having a great time with excellent music as the backdrop.”