It's only the Common Ground Festival's second year, but with high-profile acts on the bill such as Jethro Tull, Gladys Knight, Collective Soul, Grand Funk Railroad and Lee Ann Womack, it's already become Lansing's "signature event of the year."
So says production manager Dan Brooks, who projects the six-day festival could double the 2,000-to-4,000-per-day turnout of last year's inaugural event.
The festival begins Tuesday, with evening shows by headliners Gladys Knight and Chris Cagle (see schedule below).
"Common Ground is a common place where everybody of all ages, all nationalities can come together and have a good time," Brooks said.
While the festival's two main stages - located on either side of the Grand River in downtown Lansing's Louis Adado Riverfront Park - feature national rock, country, pop and R&B acts, several other stages spotlight local bands, including Knee Deep Shag (2 p.m. July 22).
And Saturday's schedule features a Mexican festival, Fiesta del Verano, with national and local entertainment at nearby Oldsmobile Park, followed by Sunday's Gospel Fest with a dozen groups performing.
To give things a family flavor, Common Ground also touts an inflatable maze, rock-climbing wall, various rides and playground activities, a 75-foot Ferris wheel and kid-friendly performances of Scholastic's The Magic School Bus and Franklin & the Magic Fiddle.
This year's festival, Brooks said, has added food vendors, some family activities and the stages for Gospel and Mexican music at Oldsmobile Park, giving visitors "a little bit of everything."
Festival schedule
Tuesday-Friday - Grounds open 5:30 - 11 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday - Grounds open 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., with playground and family activities open 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Concerts
Tuesday - Gladys Knight with Foundation of Funk, 7:30 p.m., Ground Zero stage; Chris Cagle, Phil Vassar and Tim Rushlow, 7 p.m., Underground stage.
Wednesday - Lynyrd Skynyrd with Trick Pony, 7:30 p.m., Ground Zero stage; Fuel with Bliss 66, 7:30 p.m., Underground stage.
Thursday - Jethro Tull with Pat Benatar, 7:30 p.m., Ground Zero stage; Mindy McCready with Warren Brothers and Emerson Drive, 7:30 p.m., Underground stage.
Friday - Billy Squier with Great White, 7:30 p.m., Ground Zero stage; Collective Soul, 7:30 p.m., Underground stage.
Saturday - Grand Funk with Fabulous Thunderbirds, 7:30 p.m. Ground Zero stage; Lee Ann Womack with Elbert West, 7:30 p.m., Underground stage.
Sunday - Bad Company with Eddie Money, 7 p.m., Ground Zero stage; The Commodores with Ken Williams, Nekea Valentine, Point Blanc and Global Village, 7:30 p.m., Underground stage.
Tickets/admission
Individual daily tickets are $20 in advance or $23 the day of show at the gate. Tickets admit visitors to the festival and include free use of kids' area and that day's concerts. Children 10 and younger are free at all times with a ticketed adult. Six-day "common cards" are $60 each, good for admission anytime. Card holders are encouraged to share cards with family and friends. Tickets are available at all TicketsPLUS outlets or at the festival office inside Lansing City Market. Or, call (800) 585-3737.
Getting there
From Grand Rapids, take Int. 96 east to Lansing and take exit 90, Grand River Avenue. Turn left on Grand River and head 6 ½ miles to West North Street. Go straight on West North Street and right on North Cedar Street. Parking is available for $5 at nearby lots and ramps, with a shuttle taking visitors to the festival.
Information
Call (517) 267-1502 or visit www.commongroundfest.com .