He hadn’t known a town like Houghton existed. And he’d also never experienced the Farm Block Festival, which brings together bands from throughout the Midwest for three days of music and community at John and Charmaine Parsons’ farm outside of Ahmeek. 

“Even though technically it’s the middle of nowhere, it’s not at all, because you’ve got a community of people and families here that love each other, love to share celebration with each other, and love to gather with each other and community,” said Sandock, who’d played earlier Saturday night with his band Sanchez Agency. “So in that sense, there’s really nothing small about it at all. In fact, it’s really quite large. Because gatherings like this with communities, where people want to have a similar purpose and a shared vision and a peaceful, productive life, that’s as good as it gets.”

This marked the 16th year for the festival, which raises money for the Dan Schmitt Gift of Music and Outdoor Education Fund. 

Schmitt, a family friend of the Parsons who’d grown up playing music with the Parsons’ son Graham, was killed in a car accident on his 18th birthday. 

Guitarist Mike LaBeau plays during Erik Koskinen’s set at Farm Block Fest Saturday. (Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette)

“We, especially Graham, were just devastated by it,” John Parsons said. “We said, ‘Let’s do a music festival. We’ll do it in Dan’s honor.’ And it just kept going and going, and we started a non-profit, and it took off on its own.”

In the past year, the program gave free guitar and piano lessons to 25 students. Some of those students, who range from preschool to high school, play a set at the festival Sunday morning. 

Kids also learn about the outdoors, coming to John and Charmaine Parsons’ farm to learn about maple syrup or gardening. Graham, whose band the Go-Rounds, also leads a branch of the program in Kalamazoo. 

When the festival started, John often had to correct locals who called it a “big party,” reminding them it was a fundraiser. 

As it’s continued, many of the same people have kept coming to watch, with the festival growing up with them, Parsons said. 

Jake Sandock, lead singer and guitarist for Sanchez Agency, plays Saturday during the band’s first trip to Farm Block Fest. (Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette)

“Everybody used to be younger, and they liked to party more when they were younger,” he said. “Now, all those 20-somethings are in their 30s and 40s. They’re just a lot mellower, and they have families and kids. So it works out great. It’s a hell of a lot of work, but it’s a great weekend.”

Kids weaved through the crowd on toy trucks or played games off to the side. Katee Theisen of Ahmeek was playing in the sandbox with her nephew Malcolm, 4, of Hancock after the Go-Rounds’ set. 

“It’s very family-friendly,” she said. “And the music’s always enjoyable and diverse. And we got really lucky with the weather. The food’s good. It’s always just a jolly atmosphere.”

Danielle Barmone of Chicago, staying at a cabin down the road, stopped by with her family.  She likes the cause she’s helping out, and also the welcoming atmosphere. 

“We just really like how the kids can hang out and still enjoy the music and kind of do their own thing,” she said. 

The lineup mixes local favorites with bands throughout the Midwest. Local singer Erik Koskinen made his festival debut last year, but his ties to the Parsons family go back further: He had Charmaine as a fifth-grade social studies teacher. 

The Goshen, Indiana band Sanchez Agency shares members with the Kansas Bible Company, who’s played at the festival before. Sandock, who hadn’t started playing professionally until he was 43, said his message was that “It’s never too late to start doing something that you love to do.”

Being there was “a great thrill,” he said. 

“This is really beautiful,’ he said. “I hope they keep doing this for years and years and years.”

The festival closed with frenetic sets from drum-and-keyboards duo MRKT and psychedelic band Cabeza de Chivo. 

Mike Hubbarth of Ferndale, Michigan, had come to the festival for the first time to support his friends in MRKT. He’d only known one other band coming in, but was wowed by what he’d gotten to see.

“It’s really nice,” he said. “It’s a great spot. It’s like the dream everyone talks about.”