Add Ons You Don’t Want to Miss!
Historic Bus Tour of Idlewild with Township Historian
General Admission Ticketholders:
9:00 AM and 10:15 AM
VIP Ticketholders:
11:30 AM
Each tour lasts approximately 1 hour and departs from just outside the Festival gate.
Once known as “Black Eden,” Idlewild, Michigan, was one of the most significant African American resort communities in the United States during the early to mid-20th century. Founded in 1912, Idlewild offered Black Americans a rare place of rest, recreation, and refuge during the Jim Crow era. At its peak from the 1930s to 1960s, it was a vibrant cultural hub, hosting legendary performers such as Duke Ellington, Aretha Franklin, Della Reese, and the Four Tops. Idlewild was a symbol of Black excellence, entrepreneurship, and joy—a place where families created memories and civil rights leaders gathered in unity.
Come enjoy a bus tour with Chris Grier, Idlewild Historian, and experience Idlewild’s rich history firsthand.
Cost:
$10 for General Admission Ticketholders
Included in VIP Ticketholder’s Experience (Registration required here).
Learn the stories behind historic sites, hear about the icons who performed here, and see the same paths that once echoed with jazz, soul, and freedom.
Space is limited.
Reserve your seat today here!
Pop Up Tent Spaces
Want to set up your own tent or pop-up canopy during the festival? We’re offering dedicated spaces for attendee tents within the festival grounds — but advance reservations are required.
Space Size: 15×15 feet per reservation
Cost: $25 per space/per day
Space is limited! Reserve now to guarantee your spot!
RV Parking Reservations
We’re excited to offer limited RV parking on-site for our festival guests! To help us accommodate everyone safely and comfortably, RV parking is available by reservation only.
Cost:
$30 per day
Space is limited, so reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
To reserve your spot, please fill out the RV Parking Request Form at the link below.
Transportation & Hotel Packages
Choose from day trips or overnight packages with roundtrip transportation, hotel stays, and a guided Idlewild tour—all organized by Small World Tours & Travel.
They can even help with flights and VIP travel if needed!
Book early—seats and rooms are limited!
Lodging
Idlewild is also referred to as being in the “heart of nature” in the Manistee National Forest, with abundant natural beauty, lakes, and trails surrounding it. We have a variety of lodging and campgrounds within the area and in nearby cities that may be available.
Why not stay a little longer and explore it all? Extend your vacation and truly experience the history, nature, and culture that make Idlewild so special.
Click on a Visitor’s Bureau link below to explore local accommodations:
There is currently a flagging lane
closed for construction on:
EB/WB US-10 from
M-37 to S Twin Creek Road
Mon-Fri: 7am – 7pm
It is estimated to end on 06/27/2025.
Contact MDOT Cadillac TSC 231-775-3486
or visit here for updates.
Click below to visit
for important places and reasons to explore the area!