Gazette File Photo A large crowd enjoys the Porcupine Mountain Music Festival in this August 2022 file photo. The annual event opens tomorrow.

ONTONAGON — The 19th Annual Porcupine Mountains Music Festival opens Friday at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Ontonagon County. The festival is presented by the Friends of The Porkies, which represents all users of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. The festival, supported in park by an award from the Michigan arts and Culture Council, celebrates music of many genres of musical style such as Americana, Bluegrass, Rhythm & Blues, Folk, Rock, Country and more. Among this year’s featured performers are Scythian and Buckwheat Zydeco Jr.

According to its website, named after Ukrainian nomads, Scythian plays roots music from Celtic, Eastern European and Appalachian traditions with thunderous energy, technical prowess, and storytelling songwriting, beckoning crowds into a barn-dance, rock concert experience. Nashville’s Music City Roots says Scythian is ‘what happens when rock star charisma meets Celtic dervish fiddling’, and the Washington Post claims “Scythian’s enthusiasm is contagious, and shows seem to end with everyone dancing, jumping around or hoisting glasses.” The four-piece band will headline Friday’s main stage lineup at 8 p.m. Other main stage performers Friday include Houghton native Erik Koskinen, The Bootstrap Boys, Ivy Ford, and Jeffrey Foucault. Returning to the music fest is Hudson Valley New York band The Slambovian Circus of Dreams, scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Saturday’s headliner is Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. and the Legendary Ils Sont Partis Band. Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. was born into a musical family in Lafayette, Louisiana, a city deeply rooted in the sounds of zydeco and Creole culture. His father, Stanley “Buckwheat” Dural, Sr., was a legendary figure in zydeco music, and Buckwheat, Jr. was immersed in music from a young age. At just 17, Junior began his musical journey by joining his father’s band, initially playing the rubboard, a signature instrument in zydeco music. His early training was informal, as he learned by ear, much like his father had done. Over time, Buckwheat, Jr. expanded his musical talents, becoming a multi-instrumentalist who played the Hammond B-3 organ, accordion, and other instruments. Saturday’s line up includes, Gizzae, Ray Bonneville, Caleb Caudle and The Sweet Critters, local favorite Charlie Parr from Duluth, and Damn Tall Buildings, a Brooklyn based folk bluegrass band.

In addition to the outdoor main stage, performers on the indoor chalet stage include Jack Jolliff, Eslise Besonen, The Knockabouts, Yvonne Blake, Eric Hopper, Tim Southwick Johnson and more.

Entry into the Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park requires a Michigan Recreation pass. While service animals are allowed in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Guidelines, pets are not allowed. Tickets are available at the gate — $120 for a weekend pass, $65 daily. Children 7-12 are $10 for one or both days and six and under are free.

The Friends of the Porkies is a 501 (C) 3 non-profit organization.