The Elberta Solstice Festival, a community mainstay since 2002, returns to Waterfront Park this year on Saturday, June 20\u2014the longest day of 2015. The sun will rise at 6:03 a.m. and set at 9:25 p.m., marking the pinnacle of summer. <\/p>\n
This day has been celebrated since ancient times by Celts and Slavs with dancing and bonfires to give the sun energy and to ward off evil spirits.
\nThe future of the Elberta Solstice Festival, however, was cast in doubt last year when the Village declined to run the festival. <\/p>\n
But determined citizens wouldn\u2019t let the popular tradition die. Recent transplants Frederik Stig-Nielsen and Betsy Mas [a young couple who were featured in The Betsie Current<\/em> last year<\/a>] were approached by Bill Soper and Josh Herren, locals who have run Solstice for many years, for support in reviving the festival.<\/p>\n \u201cI care about this tiny community, and it seemed as though people were truly disappointed when it appeared Solstice was not going to be held,\u201d Mas says. \u201cSolstice is hands down the largest event held in Elberta. It attracts nearly 800 people each year. This is good for local business. More importantly, I see the festival as a forum to gather as a community. We live in such a hectic time, there are not many opportunities to relax and hang out with our neighbors.\u201d<\/p>\n The Solstice Festival celebrates the longest day of the year with events and entertainment for the whole family beginning at noon and ending at 2 a.m. Local restaurants and caterers will offer a variety of foods and also serve local craft beer, wine, and mead. Activities for children include horse and pony rides, bounce houses, and kids\u2019 games until 5 p.m. <\/p>\n A stellar line-up of musicians and bands will play blues, indie, rock, funk, and techno, along with sideshows going on all over the park. The line-up includes Medicinal Groove<\/a>, Platte Plains Wolf Pack<\/a>, Blue Dirt<\/a>, Alfredo<\/a>, the Standing Hamptons, Cousin Curtiss<\/a>, the G-Snacks<\/a>, and the Jimmy Olson Band. Stick around for fireworks at dusk, which can typically be seen from across the bay in Frankfort, also.<\/p>\n