Midwest Sunsplash Celebrates Sister Bay and Welcomes Families

Unity the band. Submitted photo.

“It will be totally different than before,” said Pita Katobalavu, Midwest Sunsplash festival organizer (and member of the rock, roots, reggae, soul band Unity).

In the past, Midwest Sunsplash has taken place in Appleton, Wisconsin. This year’s festival, held in Sister Bay, will feature nine “up-and-coming” musical groups over two days Aug. 7 – 8.

A $25,000 Joint Effort Marketing grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism funded the festival in an effort to attract families to the waterfront area in Sister Bay, which has been under construction. Eventually, the hope is that the bands based out of Chicago, Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Appleton, and Door County will bring a large following to the Sister Bay area.

Midwest Sunsplash coincides with the Door County Festival of Fine Arts, which takes place Aug. 8 from 10 am to 5 pm. Katobalavu is not concerned about the two festivals competing and hopes that art enthusiasts will stay in Sister Bay through the evening to attend.

Katobalavu believes that drawing a younger crowd to the area is somewhat of a challenge.

“I have been playing up in Door County for the last seven years and every time we are out in Door County, we don’t see the younger demographic,” Katobalavu said.

To attract families, Katobalavu says bands were selected based on their family-friendly repertoire and philosophies.

“Every single band we have are good people. If they didn’t fit the background, they wouldn’t be on the roster.”

The bands selected include, on Friday, Earth to Clark, WIFEE & the HUZz BAND, Mary Jane Gang and Natty Nation. The festival continues on Saturday with Honey & the 45s, Big Wig Mechanic, Recalcitrant, Whiskey of the Damned, and Unity the Band.

In addition to the nine bands performing, a variety of alternative crafts and organic food booths will be set up, in addition to more traditional festival cuisine, like brats.

“It is going to help celebrate the beach, it is going to help the businesses you have in Sister Bay, in Door County,” Katobalavu said. He expects 2,000 people will attend. “We want all the hotels filled.”

The festival grounds open at 3pm on Friday and noon on Saturday. Tickets are $30 for two-day general admission and $10 per person for camping for two nights. Tickets are available online at MidwestSunsplash.com, at the Sister Bay Visitor Center (2439 S. Bay Shore Dr), and at the Festival Gate on Mill Road the day of the event. Children 10 and under are free.