An Insider’s Guide to Compass Music Fest

Summer fun kicks off with the Compass Music Fest on Saturday, May 21, in St. Joseph, Michigan. Read below for the inside scoop on how to make the most of the day from St. Joseph Today!

FOOD & DRINK

The event offers eight hours of music, so you’ll definitely want to check out our awesome local food vendors and grab a craft brew or glass of wine!

Beverage tickets can be purchased with credit cards and cash. There’s a ticket tent for those — look for it on your left as you enter the event! Beer drinkers can cool off with a tasty craft brew or classic Bud Light. There are two local wineries pouring, a variety of soda flavors and bottled water available for purchase.

You can pay local food vendors directly! Cash and credit cards are accepted — each vendor differs. We’re welcoming both returning and new vendors to this year’s event: Forté Coffee, Nola Roux, Silver Beach Pizza, Twisted Dawg and Water & Wheat. There’s a little something for everyone with this year’s food vendors!

INSIDER TIP: ATMs are located within walking distance outside of the event. 

SEATING/VIEWING

It’s festival seating at Whirlpool Centennial Park, so bring your blankets and stretch out in the grass for the day. The field gives lots of options — you can be up close and rockin’ with the bands, seated up on the small hill, or sit a bit further back to enjoy the music while you chat. Chairs are welcome, but no beach umbrellas or tents — we want everyone to be able to see!

GET TICKETS NOW

We suggest getting your tickets early! Whirlpool Centennial Park is a great spot to hang for the day, and the event does fill up. Tickets are $30/advance and $35/day of. Tickets are available in person at the St. Joseph Today Welcome Center (301 State Street); over the phone or online through The Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College Box Office. If you purchase tickets online, you’ll be able to pick up at Will Call at the Welcome Center on Friday, May 20, from 10:00a-5:00p, or at the gate starting at 11:00a on Saturday, May 21. 

INSIDER TIP: We’ll have to check your ID when you pick up tickets, so have it ready!

ALL AGES ARE WELCOME

This event welcomes all ages! Kids 10 and under are free. There’s a variety of soda flavors and delicious food available for purchase. Add that with great music for dancing, and young attendees are sure to have a ball!

INSIDER TIP: Wristbands allow for re-entry, so if you need to cool off in the fountain, at the Silver Beach Carousel, or with some ice cream, you can get back in easily!

COMPASS MUSIC FEST BAND LINEUP

Local St. Joseph band, The Backups and The Get Downs will kick things off at 12:20p, followed by Grand Rapids based band Jack Droppers & The Best Intentions at 1:40p, Indie pop singer-songwriter Mary Lambert at 3:15p, Alt-Folk band the Morningsiders at 4:50p, and wrapping things up is Canadian singer-songwriter JP Saxe at 6:45p.

STAY THE WEEKEND

We encourage event attendees to eat, shop, stay and play in Michigan’s Great Southwest all weekend long. There’s a little something for everyone to enjoy. From art exhibits and stunning beaches to local shops, breweries, wineries, distilleries, delicious restaurants and so much more. Check out our amazing Southwest Michigan hotels to make it a weekend getaway!

 

ST. JOSEPH TODAY MISSION: St. Joseph Today is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization founded in 1980. Our mission is to market our community and to develop and maintain year-round programming that inspires visitors and residents to explore St. Joseph, Michigan and surrounding communities.