Todd DeDecker from the Bishop Hill Heritage Association joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about the upcoming Midsommar Music Festival. Bishop Hill prepares to welcome visitors to its annual Midsommar Music Festival on June 21, 2025. This free event pays tribute to the town’s Swedish roots, featuring performances from groups like Black Hawk Pipes & Drums, Chloe Finch, Orion Community Band, and Norwegian Bachelor Farmers, all at the park gazebo beginning at 10 AM. Activities include Maypole decorating, a lively procession to the Colony School, and traditional Maypole dancing. Attendees can meet author Jannifer Stevens Powelson at Prairie Arts Center and enjoy refreshments, with the festivities concluding at The Colony Inn with live country music.
Music will fill the village park gazebo starting at 10 AM as the summer concert series kicks off, featuring performances from Black Hawk Pipes and Drums, Chloe Finch, the Orion Community Band, and the Norwegian Bachelor Farmers. After the music winds down at 4 PM, everyone is invited to join in decorating the Maypole and participating in a festive procession to the Colony School. There, guests can dance around the Maypole and enjoy refreshments from the Bishop Hill Vasa Lodge—no experience needed. Don’t miss the Midsummer Respite at the Vasa National Archives or a book signing by Jannifer Stevens Powelson at the Prairie Arts Center. The day wraps up with live country music by Ryan Bizarri at The Colony Inn from 7 to 11 PM. For directions or more information, visit www.visitbishophill.com or call 309-927-3899.
2025 MIDSOMMAR MUSIC SCHEDULE
The 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
Chloe Finch 11:30 AM
Orion Community Band 1:30 PM
Norwegian Bachelor Farmers 3 PM
Dressing of the Maypole begins at 4 PM, and the procession to the Colony School starts just after it is dressed.
Maypole dancing at Colony School at 4:30 PM, followed by supper provided by the Bishop Hill Vasa Lodge
The Midsommar Music Festival is sponsored by the 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, the Minneapolis Foundation, Vasa National Archives, Bishop Hill Vasa Lodge #683, and the Illinois Arts Council.
