The 2023 Midsommar Music Festival is a family-friendly event held yearly in Bishop Hill to celebrate the Swedish holiday. The event is two days this year so bring a lawn chair and join the celebration on June 24th and 25th, 2023. The 2023 Midsommar Music festival includes concerts in the park, a Scandinavian folk dance workshop, a Swedish Maypole celebration, plus more.
The free concerts at the village park gazebo begin at 10 AM Saturday. The lineup this year includes Black Hawk Pipes and Drums, Emily the Band, Hammer and Pick, Idle Oath and Sarah and the Underground. At 4 PM, everyone is invited to decorate the Maypole with flowers and join the procession. The procession will begin in the park and end at the Colony School where visitors can join in the Maypole dance and have refreshments provided by the Bishop Hill Vasa Lodge. While you’re dining, you can enjoy a taste of Sweden by watching a group of demonstration dancers led by caller Gail Hintze. At the close of the meal, everyone is invited to participate in this folk tradition that was once an integral part of the life of most Swedes. Gail will teach all the dances, so everyone can join the merriment. Author Jannifer Stevens Powelson will be signing her books from 11 AM to 3 PM at the Prairie Arts Center on Saturday June 24th only.
On Sunday, the free musical performances at the gazebo will continue and begin at 11 AM. The lineup on Sunday includes Barry Cloyd and Brian “Fox” Ellis performing “An Encounter with the Green Man: A Celtic Summer Solstice Celebration,” Bucky Halker, the Midsommar Quartet from Chicago, Chris Vallillo and the Nordland Band. Learn new dance steps at the Nordland Band’s 12:30 PM workshop in the Dairy Building as they play wonderful waltzes and pretty polkas. If folks want to dive in feet first, this is an opportunity to learn some simple Swedish dances. There will also be plenty of seating for those who just enjoy listening to the music. The one-hour Scandinavian folk dance workshop is free and no registration is necessary.
The Vasa National Archives, a short block south of the park, will offer drinks, snacks and a make-and-take clay sculpture station both days of the festival. The public is welcome to view exhibits, enjoy some light refreshments, and make a clay sculpture to take home. The Vasa National Archives will be open from 10 AM to 4 PM.
The Midsommar Music Festival is sponsored by the Bishop Hill Arts Council, Bishop Hill Heritage Association, Bishop Hill State Historic Site, Bishop Hill Old Settler’s Association, Vasa National Archives, Bishop Hill Vasa Lodge #683, and area businesses. Regional Media is our major media sponsor. Funding provided by the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation and the Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency. American Rescue Plan Funds from Henry County, approved by the Henry County Board, were also used to help finance this event. For directions or more information, visit www.visitbishophill.com, or call 309-927-3899.
2023 MIDSOMMAR MUSIC SCHEDULE:
SATURDAY June 24
Schedule for the day includes the following FREE performances at the center of the park
in front of the gazebo:
– MAIN STAGE –
Black Hawk
Pipes & Drums 10 AM
Emily the Band 11 AM
Hammer and Pick 1 PM
Idle Oath 2 PM
Sarah and the Underground 3 PM
***Maypole dressing begins at 4 PM and procession to the Colony
School begins just after it is dressed.
Maypole decorating at Colony School at 4:30 PM, followed by supper provided by the
Bishop Hill Vasa Lodge
Swedish folk dancing demonstration at the Colony School beginning at 5:30 PM
SUNDAY June 25
Schedule for the day includes the following FREE performances at the center of the park
in front of the gazebo:
– MAIN STAGE –
Barry Cloyd and Brian “Fox” Ellis 11 AM
(A Celtic Summer Solstice Celebration)
Nordland Band will have a free folk 12:30 to 1:30 PM
dancing workshop in the Dairy Building
Bucky Halker 1 PM
Midsommar Quartet 2 PM
Chris Vallillo 3 PM
Nordland Band 4 PM
