ROTHBURY, MI (WHTC) – It can feel like you’ve stepped back into the late 1960’s as thousands have descended on West Michigan for the Electric Forest festival in Rothbury.
On US-31 heading North you’ll see the classic Volkswagon buses and licenses plates from all over the country over the next eight days. Some festival goers are dressed from the Woodstock era while others where whatever makes them feel comfortable. It is a sight to see.
The festival is in it’s 7th year and this time around it is spread out over two weekends with hundreds of bands performing.
The festival is a boost for West Michigan’s economy as many of the festival goers stay for the full eight days. Some come and go with a day pass, while others camp out on the festival grounds. Hotels are booked way in advance and many tend to buy all their supplies once they arrive in the area, giving local stores a boost too. Area beaches are always crowded as many like to see what the lakeshore has to offer while attending the festival.
Traffic can be tricky especially on the weekends and the Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office steps up patrols during the festival. Here in Ottawa County, Sheriff Steve Kempker says they do see a lot of the traffic heading north on US-31 and do run into a few issues with festival goers.
“It’s mostly traffic incidents. and some shoplifting and people getting lost on US-31. Area cars know that that traffic is flowing through there so we monitor it a little more closely. We do the same thing when the Electric Forest lets out because we get the traffic the traffic up 31 from Muskegon and Grand Rapids.”
The festival is sold out this weekend, but tickets are available for next weekend, June 29-July 2nd.
