Site: Camp Vermillion
Ages: All
Cost: Free
A day of music, fellowship, food, and supporting the ministry at Camp Hiawatha and Camp Vermilion!
Since 2011, the community has been gathering on the shores of Lake Vermilion to listen to amazing music while lifting up the mission and programs at Camp Hiawatha and Camp Vermilion. Now in 2023, we are expanding our horizons with the Sounds of the Northwoods Festival and Fundraiser for Camp! We will see some of our traditional Bluegrass friends and welcome in some new sounds and bands as we gather under the tent on August 5th. Plenty of food and family activities will be included along with the Annual Basket Challenge and Silent Auction.
Bands:
Over the last decade or more, you may have caught the harmonic covers from St. Paul-based Crazy Chester at the Driftwood in Minneapolis or a warm July evening up at the Gunflint Tavern in Grand Marias. No matter where you catch them, you are treated to the music of classic, blues-filled roots rock.
Crazy Chester is: Steve Abenth, percussion & vocals; Martin Marty, guitar & vocals; Drew Peterson, bass guitar & vocals; Bill Singsaas, guitar; and Dan Raschick, percussion & drums.
Crazy Chester are no strangers to Camp Vermilion. They are often found practicing in the Bakk House during their “Band Camp” retreats and drummer, Steve Abenth, is the brother of VLM Executive Director Joel Abenth.
Crazy Chester was interviewed on WTIP Radio in July of 2017. Check out the interview and some of their music here:
The Sloughgrass band has evolved over the years as the children have grown up and moved to different parts of the country as professional musicians and grandma Audrey has passed away. Now Sloughgrass is the "leftover"four parents and often guest musicians. The group feels very blessed to still be able to make music together and share it with others. When the band plays now it is in configurations involving Judith Nelson on vocals, rhythm guitar and fiddle, Soren Olesen on guitar, mandolin and vocals, Christine Hultman on banjo and vocals, David Hultman on vocals and rhythm guitar and Joe Olson on the dog-house bass. The band’s music is a blend of Judith's original songs, Bluegrass, Country, Americana and Gospel tunes. Sloughgrass plays at all sorts of venues throughout Minnesota and neighboring states. It has also performed in North Carolina, Kentucky and overseas in Denmark. Over the years the Sloughgrass family recorded three CD's and a Prairie Public PBS TV show and made numerous appearances on the radio when the kids were little. Once their music was played on the radio in Sweden. When available these other musicians join the band: Sofia Olesen on fiddle and mandolin, Holger Olesen on dobro, Molly Yates on banjo, Gary Hooker on dobro and lead guitar, Brian Parmeter, Lou Murray, Rory Ellingson or Delane Baumchen on bass and Craig Schmidt on drums. All the new players in the band have numerous years of experience touring and performing with professional bands and are all a great addition to the Sloughgrass band when they join the show.
Sloughgrass has been a standard at the VLM Festival for more than 11 years. We are excited to have them back under the tent!
MorningBird is singer-songwriter Rob Wheeler and violinist Jill Burkes, both from the Northern Minnesota area. Burkes started off playing Finnish folk music on the violin when she was a child, and then moved into more classically trained music. Wheeler has played guitar since he was a teenager, beginning with heavy metal riffs, but he expanded into old country music and eventually all genres. The two harmonize together on classic folk covers and originals. They recorded their first EP Cosmic Escape at Birch Bay Studios in 2021. Their new single and video, Old Missabe Road, was released in January 2023, recorded at Sparta Sound Studios.
This will be Morningbird’s first visit to Camp Vermilion, though they are no strangers to the area. They perform their original music and cover some other folk favorites live all over the Iron Range, Timber Country, and the North Shore.
"Locally based musical power couple that create heartfelt and soulful music that visitors can enjoy throughout the year."
"Morningbird are local artists that wield a sound that resonates with the soul of The Range."
"Musicians that resonate the soul of the region through their music."
-Discover the Range
Schedule of Events Coming Soon!
Bids for the Kids!
The fundraiser is about supporting the wonderful Christ-centered programs at Camp Hiawatha and Camp Vermilion. Throughout the weekend, you not only BID HIGH and BID OFTEN, but you can also make a gift at any time just by clicking below. You can be part of helping to make camp happen! (If you end up not getting the silent auction item you were hoping for, maybe consider making a gift in the amount of your highest bid!)
Just write “2023 SOTN FEST” in the note when you make your gift!
Participating Online
We will be live streaming music, the Fund-A-Need, Raffle Winners and the Church Basket Winners beginning at 4 p.m. on August 5th. The link will be available on our Facebook Page.
RAFFLE PRIZES 2023
First Prize - $20,000 Lund 1400 Fury, Mercury 20elhpt, Bunk Trailer from Ray’s Sport and Marine, Grand Rapids, MN. Stop by and take a look. It is on display at Ray’s Sport and Marine, ask for Andy Arola.
Second Prize - $1,500 Hiawatha/Vermilion Adventure Packs, two roll top Arrowhead Packs with Camp Logo Embroidery, two Accessory bags, two buffalo plaid blankets, packable cribbage board and Frost River Gift Card from Frost River in Duluth Minnesota.
Third Prize - $500 cash
GET YOUR RAFFLE TICKETS
Raffle Tickets are $20 each.
Available at Camp Hiawatha, Camp Vermilion, Duluth office, or by calling (800) 331-5148 or in the tent on the day of the event! Raffle tickets can not be purchased with a credit card! Raffle tickets will be drawn live at 6:15pm.