~ 2026 PRE-FEST EVENTS & KNOWN HAPPENINGS ~ schedule for 2026
The Fun begins with a variety of pre-festival activities. There are jam sessions, tune exchanges, hiking events, and outings to local establishments. Please join us if you can!
Question: I don't want a schedule, I just want to play and have fun! YES! The schedule below is just an introduction. Start your own jam. Wander the campgrounds and see what you can find. Ask for or give a music lesson. Organize outings or shenanigans with your friends and neighbors. Start new traditions. It's all up to you!
Question: How do I start a jam? Arrange a couple of empty chairs at your campsite in a circle. Sit down and start playing. Or go sit in a public area, like the porch or the fountain, start playing. People will join you.
daily (and nightly):
- ​Jamming in the Red (Goat) Barn, The Red barn is reserved for jamming the for the entire festival. Open to all.
daily, starting Tuesday July 7 through July 15, 2026:
- ​U​ke jams, 10-11:30am at the Lions pavilion. If you own a copy of the book, The Daily Ukulele, by Liz and Jim Beloff, please bring your book to the jam. This is the yellow book, from their three book series.
daily, starting Wednesday July 8 through July 15, 2026:
- Hammer Dulcimer jams, 1-4pm and ​7-10pm in the ODPC Pavilion. All instruments are welcome.
- Mountain Dulcimer jams, date and times TBA
Thursday and Friday - July 9 & 10, 2026
- Rick Thum "Beyond A-Z of Hammered Dulcimer". For cost, details & registration, see the Pre-Fest Academy.
Friday July 10- July 15, 2026:
- Dixieland Jam: 2-4:15 pm daily at the Swine Barn. All instruments welcome; not limited to traditional Dixieland instrumentation. Discover the joy of the old time favorites performed in a Dixieland style: Bill Bailey, Darktown Strutters’ Ball, When the Saints, Alabama Jubilee… Coordinated by Jim Janofski
Saturday July 11, 2026
- 9:00am - Jam at the Evart Farmer’s Market. Join us any time between 9 am and 1 pm. Everyone is welcome! 200 South Main St, Evart, MI at the Evart Depot next to the Pere Marquette Rails to Trails.
Daily, starting saturday July 11 thru 15, 2026
- 2:00-4:00pm - Fiddle jam at the Lions pavilion.
- 7:00pm - Silver Strings Open Jam: Beginning Saturday, July 11 to Wednesday, July 15, Silver Strings will lead daily jams. All instruments welcome. Look for the Silver Strings Tent and posted times. After the festival begins on Thursday, July 16, there will be no scheduled jams, however, the tent is available to any and all who may want to jam. Be sure to check the schedule daily for additional jams throughout the day.
Sunday July 12, 2026
- 10am - Evart Free Methodist Church Service Performance. For several years, the church has featured music by festival players at their morning service. The church is located just to the west of the fairgrounds at 6151 95th Ave. All instruments are welcome. The hymn list is available to download Here as well as on a table in the Community Building. Try to arrive by 9:30am to set up. For questions or music list, contact Jim Janofski
- 7pm - Gospel Sing in the Fairgrounds Community Building. A long time Evart tradition: singers, instruments, and special music welcomed and encouraged.
- 7:00pm - Silver Strings Open Jam: All instruments welcome. At Silver Strings Tent.
Monday - Wednesday, July 13, 14 & 15, 2026:
- Rick Thum "A-Z of Hammered Dulcimer" For cost, details & registration, see the Pre-Fest Academy.
- 9-12pm - Dave Haas "Mountain Dulcimer Track 1: Advanced beginner workshop offered for 3 half days. For cost, details & registration, see the Pre-Fest Academy.
- 1-4pm - Dave Haas "Mountain Dulcimer Track 2: Intermediate workshop offered for 3 half days. For cost, details & registration, see the Pre-Fest Academy.
- 9-12pm and 1-4pm - Stephen Seifert - A to Z 3-day Intensive Workshop. For cost, details, & registration, see the Pre-Fest Academy.
- 9-12pm and 1-4pm - Brett Ridgeway - Using Your Dulcimer for Worship and Ministry. 3-day workshop. For cost, details & registration, see the Pre-Fest Academy.
Monday July 13, 2026:
- Stage Assembly (Grandstand) (Volunteers Needed)
- 10am - Sloth Jam at the ODPC Pavilion. This is a slower than slow jam for beginners
- 7:00pm - Silver Strings Open Jam: All instruments welcome. At the Silver Strings Tent.
Tuesday July 14, 2026:
- 7:30am - Fair Board Breakfast in the Community Building. Annual breakfast sponsored by the Fair Board. You can also update/renew your membership information at this event.
- 9:00-12:00pm - Joe Steiner - Clawhammer Banjo - Past Beginner. For cost, details, and registration, see the Pre-Fest Academy.
- 10am - Sloth Jam at the ODPC Pavilion. This is a slower than a slow jam for beginners
- 1:00-4:00pm - Joe Steiner - Beginner Guitar Workshop. For cost, details and registration see the Pre-Fest Academy.
- 7:00pm - Silver Strings Open Jam: All instruments welcome. At the Silver Strings tent
Wednesday, July 15, 2026:
- 9:00-4:00pm - Mark Alan Wade - Hammered and Mountain Dulcimer workshops. For cost, details & registration, see the Pre-Fest Academy.
- 9:00-12:00pm - Joe Steiner - Clawhammer Banjo - Intermediate. For cost, details & registration, see the Pre-Fest Academy.
- 1:00-4:00pm- Joe Steiner - Intermediate/Advanced Guitar. For cost, details, & registration, see the Pre-Fest Academy.
- 10:00am - Sloth Jam at the ODPC Pavilion. This is a slower than a slow jam for beginners
- 11:45am - The Battle Cry of Freedom - Music and Revivals of the Civil War Era at the Lion's Club Pavilion (following the ukulele jam). Musical reminders of the captivating, powerful, and time tested music and spiritual revivals during this turbulent era in our American history.) Presented by Jim Janofski—instruments and players welcomed!
- 4:00-6:30pm - Dinner in the Community Hall. This is a fundraiser for the Osceola County 4-H Small Animal Program. Details TBA.
- 7:00pm - Dixieland Jam in the Community Building.
- 7:00pm - Silver Strings Open Jam: All Instruments welcome. At the Silver Strings Tent.
- Evening - Squirrels' Nest Open Jam
~ FUNFEST official start~ THURSDAY ~ July 16, 2026
Thursday, July 16, 2026
- 9:00am-noon Children's Activities (Rabbit Barn)
- 9:00am-5:00pm Workshops
- 9:00am-4:00pm Volunteer signup, membership renewal & tee shirt sales, Festival Office (Bldg #15 aka ODPC Office)
- 10:00am-6:00pm Vendor Sales
- 1:00-4:00pm Children's Activities (Rabbit Barn)
- 6:30-10:00pm Evening Stage Show (Grandstands)
- 7:00pm - Silver Strings Open Jam - Site TBA
- Evening - Squirrels' Nest Open Jam
Friday, July 17, 2026
- 9:00am-12pm Children's Activities (Rabbit Barn)
- 9:00am-5:00pm Workshops
- 9:00am-4:00pm Volunteer signup, membership renewal & tee shirt sales, Festival Office (Bldg #15 aka ODPC Office)
- 10:00am-6:00pm Vendor Sales
- 1:00-4:00pm Children's Activities (Rabbit Barn)
- 6:30-10:00pm Evening Stage Show (Grandstands)
- 7:00-9:00pm Friday Night Dance (Community Hall)
- 7:00pm - Silver Strings Open Jam - Sites TBA
- Evening - Squirrels' Nest Open Jam
Saturday, July 18, 2026
- 9:00am-5:00pm Workshops
- 9:00am-4:00pm Volunteer signup, membership renewal & tee shirt sales, Festival Office (Bldg #15 aka ODPC Office)
- 10:00am-6:00pm Vendor Sales
- 10:00-11:30am Children's Activities: Youth Concert (Grandstands)
- 1:00-4:00pm Children's Activities (Rabbit Barn)
- 2:00-3:30pm Open Mic Concert (Grandstands)
- 6:30-10:00pm Evening Stage Show (Grandstands)
- 7:00pm - Silver Strings Open Jam - Sites TBA
- Evening - Squirrels' Nest Open Jam
- Late Evening - Irish Jam - All are welcome (Building 11)
Sunday, July 19,2026:
- 9:00-9:50am Gospel Sing - A gospel service. Led by Pastor Jim Janofski. (Community Building)
- 10:30am FunFest Wrap-up meeting - Festival Office (Bldg #15 aka ODPC Office)
- Stage Disassembly at Grandstand (Volunteers Very Much Needed)