A West Michigan gem in Allegan County. Family-friendly living & recreation.
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Phone: (616) 335-3050
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Email: Office@LaketownTwp.org
A West Michigan gem in Allegan County. Family-friendly living & recreation.
Fans welcome first free Felt concert
Next performance is July 9 by the band 6 Pak. Free tours on Sunday, July 5.
It was opening night for the fans of the Felt Estate. Spectators, too.
Hand-held paper fans passed out by volunteers helped the audience keep cool during the first 2026 Summer Concert Series on Thursday night, July 2, 2026, in Laketown Township.
The free concerts are every Thursday in July at the Carriage House stage at the estate, 6597 138th Ave. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Food and drink service begins at 6 p.m. Music begins at 7 p.m.
For more information, visit https://www.feltmansion.org/current-events
“Please stay hydrated in this heat,” Elizabeth McEwen, executive director of the Felt Estate, told the audience in the 90-degree temperatures, reminding them of the free ice cream available from Gibson Church.
She asked the crowd to raise their glasses to toast the gratitude to those who make the music possible.
“Because of the support of these sponsors and volunteers we are able to not only provide summer concerts with no admission fees but we’re also able to direct all the funds raised by your donations and beverage purchases toward the exterior restoration of the fantastic and historic Felt Mansion,” she said.
The Blue Water Ramblers performed as red, white and blue fans swayed to the music and children twirled wands to make bubbles float in front of the stage.
The next free concert is July 9 with the band 6 Pak, a high-energy, all female rock ’n’ roll band that plays a variety of music from the 1960s, 1970s and beyond.
Other performers
Other upcoming acts:
July 16: Zion Lion — Performs a mix of reggae, African zouk, mucosa, soukous and Afro-Latin influences.
July 23: Lighting Matches — An alternative rock band brings driving guitar riffs and harmonies.
July 30: Kari Lynch — A unique blend of Americana, pop-rock, alternative and singer-songwriter influences.
About the shows
No outside alcohol is allowed at the concerts but outside food and sealed beverage containers are permitted. Coolers and bags will be checked. No pets except registered service dogs.
Bring a chair or blanket to sit on.
In case of inclement weather, cancellation will be announced by 5 p.m. via email and website www.feltmansion.org/current-events.
A $5 premium parking option close to the venue is available. Free parking is still available by the Felt Mansion solar array and at Shore Acres Park.
The mansion will be open for free self-guided tours during the shows with donations appreciated. Doors open at 5 p.m. for free tours.
Free-For-All Day
The mansion is also open for free self-guided tours the first Sunday of every month through October. The next Free-For-All Day is Sunday, July 5, from 1-4 p.m.
Free-For-All Day events started in 2024 as a way to share local history and thank the community for its support in the restoration process.
Self-guided tours are usually $10 for adults 18 and up, $8 for seniors and students (60 and older and college student), and $5 for people 8 to 17 years old. Admission is free for those under 8 years old.
A self-guided tour generally takes about 45 minutes to an hour with direction by a tour booklet, which includes architectural and historical details about the estate, plus two videos that play on repeat. The Felt Mansion can accommodate groups of any size, and visitors of all ages are welcome.
The first floor of the mansion is handicap accessible. All other floors are accessible via stairs only.
About the mansion
Construction on the mansion began in 1925 by Dorr Felt, inventor of the Comptometer, the first machine that could do all four math functions — add, subtract, multiply and divide. The building was finished in 1928.
Felt’s wife, Agnes, died in 1928, six weeks after the house was complete. Dorr died two years later.
The property went on to serve as a minor seminary for the Augustinian order (attended by Pope Leo XIV), a state prison, and a Michigan State Police post before the property was purchased by Laketown Township.
Today, following years of restoration by the Friends of the Felt Estate, the mansion is a top cultural, educational, and event destination, welcoming thousands of visitors annually.