Students can bring their visiting parents to Folk Fest, an all-day downtown festival featuring local musicians and businesses, March 7.

The event will take place at the Dawn Theater from 2 to 10 p.m. and is hosted by Hillsdale Renaissance, a real estate development firm focused on reviving downtown Hillsdale, according to their website. 

“We want to see more activity,” Luke Robson ’17, founder and president of Hillsdale Renaissance, said.  “We want to see more people bumping into each other. More feet on the sidewalks than we see today. And the Folk Fest is one way of helping to make that happen.” 

The event features eight musicians or groups, most of whom are local, according to Robson. The headliner is Lost Mary, an indie folk duo composed of Hillsdale graduates. Other performers include Greg Whalen and The Ramblers as well as The Schlueter Family Band.

In addition to eight hours of live music, a ticket to Folk Fest gives its holder special discounts at local businesses for the day, including Toasted Mud, Rough Draft, and Ethan’s Donuts, according to Charlie Miggins ’25, the community liaison for Hillsdale Renaissance.

“It’s a great way for students to explore downtown at a discounted price,” Miggins said. “So if going out on a Saturday to downtown ever seemed too expensive or too big of a deal, this is definitely the night to try it all, because everyone’s going to be there.”

Miggins said tickets are $25, but Hillsdale Renaissance offers various discounts for families, kids, veterans, and groups of five or more. In addition, students who volunteer for an hour to help sell tickets or concessions will receive free admission. 

“I think it is a really great thing for community coming together,” sophomore Rylan Conley, who is soloing at Folk Fest, said. “I also think it’s great it’s happening on Parents Weekend. I know there’s a lot going on on campus that night, but go over and see what’s going on in the town. Learn a little bit more about Hillsdale.”