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.
Free concerts at Felt Estate begin July 2
The Blue Water Ramblers will bring their songs about Michigan and America to the Felt Estate for the first show in the 2026 Summer Concert Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 2, 2026.
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
About the band
The Blue Water Ramblers write and sing traditional music with modern themes, according to the group’s website at https://www.bluewaterramblers.com/
“We think our hero, Woody Guthrie, would approve because we’re singing the people’s songs about the people’s lives and they can join right in,” the group wrote.
Band members include “Banjo-Jim” Foerch on acoustic and electric banjos, R.H. “Bear” Berends on his big Martin guitar, Nate Myers on mandolin, Connor Meston on viola, and Jesse Lynn on bass fiddle. Vocals are shared among the band members.
Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Food and drink service begins at 6 p.m. Music begins at 7 p.m.
Other performers
Other upcoming acts:
July 9: The band 6 Pak — The high energy, all female rock ’n’ roll band plays a variety of music from the 1960s, 1970s and more.
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.
Show information
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.
Sponsors
Concert series sponsors are Michigan Arts & Culture Council, National Endowment for the Arts and Haworth Helps.
“Thanks to the Michigan Arts and Culture Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, and Haworth Helps, we’re proud to bring great music to our community andto put every dollar raised to work restoring this historic landmark,” said Elizabeth McEwen, executive director of the Felt Estate. “Come for the concerts and community. Eat, drink, and be merry for the cause!”
In-kind sponsors are Michigan Wine Company, Saugatuck Brewing Company, Tarriko Taqueira and Dave’s Dogs.
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.
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.