103 Musicians Gather for Songfest

Josh Harty. Photo by Pete Olsen.

From June 14-17, nearly 130 artists from around the country will gather in Sturgeon Bay for four days full of collaboration, songwriting and performances at Steel Bridge Songfest. The 14th annual Steel Bridge Songfest centers on “music so fresh, it hasn’t been written yet,” where songwriters come together to write and perform new songs inspired by the Michigan Street Steel Bridge, which was originally dedicated as a Door County Veterans Memorial, and the local Door County community.

Confirmed acts include local Wisconsin artists like Josh Harty and Genevieve Heyward. Meanwhile, artists come from across the country like Bronson Wisconsin, Lillie Lemon, Marja Johnson, Eric McFadden and more.

While musicians come from all over the country, Door County is represented with favorites like WiFEE and THE HUZz BAND, Dirty Deuce, Cathy Grier, Ruby James Band, and many more. Pat MacDonald also makes an appearance performing with Eric McFadden in The Legendary Sons of Crack Daniels after a two-year hiatus from music while he underwent intensive treatment for stage-four cancer.

The festival features live original music at multiple indoor and outdoor venues each night, including two evenings of music at Sturgeon Bay’s premier theater, Third Avenue Playhouse.

Throughout the week, many of the artists at Steel Bridge Songfest take part in the “Construction Zone,” a week-long songwriting marathon hosted by the Holiday Music Motel that encourages artists to collaboratively write and record new songs each day. These new songs are performed on stage during the festival and songs from previous years are available for purchase.

For a complete listing of performers, ticket information or general festival information, visit steelbridgesongfest.org.