Celebrating their ninth year, Steel Bridge Songfest takes place in Sturgeon Bay to celebrate historic preservation through music. Over 150 artists perform all original music at more than a dozen venues throughout the city. Steel Bridge Songfest 2013 takes place June 13 -16. Come and enjoy four days of music for the unbelievably affordable ticket price of $25!
Story of the Steele Bridge Songfest
According to the Steel Bridge website, in 1996, a grassroots group called “the SOBs” (Save Our Bridge) was organized to save Sturgeon Bay’s Michigan Street Bridge from the scheduled wrecking ball. They amazingly succeeded and in 2005, Citizens for Our Bridge (CFOB) was registered as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Their mission: preserve and promote this historic bridge through community outreach and education via creative musical events and projects.
To build public appreciation for the bridge and the Historic Downtown District in Sturgeon Bay, a week-long celebration is held every June in and around The Holiday Music Motel, a fully operational motel that also hosts live music events. Songwriters and musicians from around the world, including Jackson Browne, Jane Wiedlin (Go-Go’s), James McMurtry and hundreds of others have performed at this event, donating their time and talents to perform at Steel Bridge Songfest.
Since 2007, thanks to assistance from the National Trust For Historic Preservation and the funds raised through Songfest, Sturgeon Bay’s Historic “Steel Bridge” is protected, listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The bridge turned 80 the summer of 2011 and also underwent a long awaited rehab. Since the bridge is officially “saved,” CFOB’s continued mission is to honor the bridge as a living symbol of creative collaboration and preservation thriving together harmoniously, building community, drawing greater beauty and vitality to our surroundings.
Check out some of this year’s performers on the Steel Bridge Songfest website.
Like Historic Spaces? Stop by von Stiehl Winery!
Our winery is over 150 years old. It was originally a brewery, however, in the mid 1960s, Dr. Charles Stiehl purchased and restored the building to expand his hobby, making wine out of Door County cherries. Intrigued? Stop by our winery in Algoma any day of the week and join in a tour – we have about seven per day during the summer. Look forward to seeing you!
