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By Mark Constance
MIO — Mio will be filled with music, art, food, vendors, workshops, kids activities and hometown pride when two popular summer events bring visitors to Oscoda County June 12-14.
The Nor-East’r Music & Art Festival will return June 12-14 to the Oscoda County Fair Grounds, located at 1889 Caldwell Road, about six miles north of Mio. The annual event is a three-day celebration of roots music, art, camping, workshops and community in a relaxed outdoor setting.
Downtown Mio will also host the Red, White and Blue Collar Festival June 12-13. The event celebrates small-town life, working families, local businesses and summer fun. Visitors can expect food trucks, a beer tent, vendors, kids events, live music, bounce houses, cornhole, a beer pong tournament and more.
Together, the two events make Mio a weekend destination for families, music lovers, campers, artists, shoppers and anyone looking to enjoy the start of summer in Northern Michigan.
Nor-East’r Music & Art Festival
Nor-East’r has built a strong following by offering a warm, personal festival experience. The event features national, regional and Michigan-based performers across folk, bluegrass, Americana, roots, country, indie folk and acoustic music. The festival also includes workshops, artisan vendors, food vendors and camping, giving guests a chance to enjoy music and community in the woods of Oscoda County.
Featured performers for the 2026 Nor-East’r Music & Art Festival include Full Cord, a Michigan-based bluegrass group known for strong musicianship, original songs and a fresh take on traditional bluegrass. The lineup also includes Maddy Ringo, Josh Rose & The Founding Fathers, Ani Mari, Kyle Joe, The North Ingalls Band, Drew Nelson & Highway 2, Erik Koskinen, Blue Water Ramblers, Jill Jack, Annie & Rod Capps Quartet, Sam Robbins, Shari Kane & Dave Steele, and Dave Boutette & Kristi Davis.
Other scheduled performers include Billy Gunther & The Midwest Riders, Dan Hazlett, Mike Ward, Judy Banker, Keynote Sisters, Chris DuPont & Kylee Phillips, Therewolf, The Lucky Nows, Dave Dalton, Mark Jewett, Michael Robertson, Michelle Held, Andy Baker, Songs of Darkness & Light, Rosco Selley: F.O.R. Collective, Kyle Brown & The Human Condition, The Go Rounds, Kate Hinote Trio, Jan Krist, and Milan Seth & The Widdershins.
In addition to music, Nor-East’r will offer classes, workshops and hands-on activities for children, teens and adults. The workshops are part of the festival’s tradition of helping guests learn, create, play and connect with others.
Friday workshops include the Songwriter’s Challenge with Punch Drunk from 6-6:30 p.m. and Love Street Live with Kimberly Megoran from 6-8 p.m. Love Street Live is designed for collaboration, storytelling, music and visual art, giving guests a chance to help create a piece inspired by the theme of love.
Saturday begins with Yoga with Patty Clark, ERYT, from 8:15-9:15 a.m. The class is open to all levels and is designed to help guests start the day with movement, breath work and relaxation.
Children and families will have several creative options Saturday, including Magic Fairy Wands for Kids with Andrea Mason Schneider from 10-11 a.m. and Gypsy Moon Creations Station and Fairy House Workshop with Darcy Kann from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Children ages 5-9 must be accompanied by an adult.
Music workshops are also a big part of the weekend. Saturday sessions include Introduction to Fingerpicking Ukulele with Jim Bartz from 11 a.m. to noon, A Plethora of Two Chord Songs with Punch Drunk from 1-2 p.m., Intro to Cigar Box Guitar for Teens with Benita Carrier from 1-2 p.m., and Foraging Folk-Writing Folk Songs for Teens with Ben Traverse from 2-3 p.m.
The festival will also feature a Jam Tent, sponsored by WXTG 97.9 of Harrisville. The Jam Tent is open to musicians and listeners throughout the weekend. Scheduled activities include open jam sessions, dulcimer time, Fun with Drums for Kids, a Folk Hootenanny and Singalong, and music with The Blue Water Ramblers.
The classes and workshops help make Nor-East’r more than a concert weekend. Guests can listen to music, learn a new skill, join a jam, make art, try movement classes, explore songwriting or simply enjoy the creative energy of the festival.
Tickets and schedule information for the Nor-East’r Music & Art Festival are available through the festival’s official website at https://www.noreastrfest.org. Guests should check official event pages for performer schedules, workshop updates, ticket details, camping information, vendor updates and any last-minute changes.
Nor-East’r is supported by the MICHIGAN ARTS AND CULTURE COUNCIL and the NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS.
Red, White and Blue Collar Festival
While Nor-East’r fills the fairgrounds with music and art, the Red, White and Blue Collar Festival will add energy to downtown Mio.
The Red, White and Blue Collar Festival opens at 2 p.m. Friday, June 12, with a craft and vendor show. Kids activities and bounce houses will be open from 3-8 p.m.
Signups for a blind draw cornhole tournament begin around 5 p.m., with bags flying at 6 p.m. Youth and adults are invited to participate.
On Saturday, June 13, the festival opens at 10 a.m. The craft and vendor show opens at 10 a.m. The beer tent will be open from 10 a.m. to midnight. Kids activities and bounce houses will run from noon to 7 p.m. Clown Magic Shows are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The beer pong tournament will start after cornhole.
Saturday’s cornhole tournament will include two divisions. Teams should bring their own partner. The social tournament is $40 per team, and the competitive tournament is $60 per team. Signups are at 11 a.m., and bags fly at noon. At least $1,500 in prize money will be awarded Saturday. Participants may sign up on Scoreholio.
Live music starts at 6 p.m. Saturday with Mr. Creech, Family Tradition Band and Ty Parkins.
Visitors are encouraged to make a full weekend of it. Guests can enjoy music, workshops and camping at Nor-East’r, then head downtown for food, vendors and activities at the Red, White and Blue Collar Festival. Local businesses, restaurants and shops are expected to see added traffic during the weekend.
Follow the Blue Collar Festival at https://www.facebook.com/redwhiteandbluecollarfestival/
