By Nathan Reens | MLive Media Group
The event planners at Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort make sure the summer schedule hits all the marks by featuring major country artists like the Zac Brown Band and Rascal Flatts, classic rockers Def Leppard and Foreigner, and ’90s favorites such as Creed.
The outdoor concert series at the mid-Michigan resort has built a reputation as a summer mainstay, attracting more than 12,000 people per show to the area. Soaring Eagle Outdoor Arena, where great crowds experience superb sound quality and are treated to incredible light shows, offers both seated tickets and a general admission lawn area ticket – for those who want a little more freedom to dance.
The Zac Brown Band will kick things off on May 25, just before Memorial Day, making a multi-day trip to Mt. Pleasant a prime location to unwind on the long weekend.
Many of the big summer shows – full of iconic performers, songs known to all, and a bit of nostalgia – are outdoors, but the indoor stages are packed with favorites year-round too. From American rock legends Chicago to comedian and entertainer Nikki Glaser, the stages at Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort have entertainment for everyone.
The Soaring Eagle Summer Concert Series will feature 10-12 shows, including:
- May 25: Zac Brown Band with special guest Corey Kent
- July 18: Def Leppard with special guest Collective Soul
- July 26: Foreigner with special guests Loverboy and Night Ranger
- August 8: Brooks & Dunn
- August 23: Creed with special guests Mammoth and Hinder
- August 30: Rascal Flatts with special guest Lauren Alaina
Find the complete schedule for both indoor and outdoor shows here, and visitors can start lining up tickets, overnight accommodations and travel plans. Meet Mt. Pleasant, the Mt. Pleasant Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, is excited to partner with Soaring Eagle on the summer concert series. Visit the Meet Mt. Pleasant tent, at any summer concert series events, to learn more about how to win a Mt. Pleasant Experience Package.
While the headliners might attract the eyeballs of many, the Mt. Pleasant region balances the big acts with a vibrant family-friendly environment that shows off the talents of closer-to-home musicians and homegrown entertainers returning to town on the verge of a breakthrough.
As noted by Shawn Powers, one of the organizers behind the weekly summertime Music in the Park series, the area beats expectations when visitors are exposed to the breadth of offerings, fresh faces, and both original music and a new take on cover tunes.
“Mt. Pleasant is a beacon of light for feel-good, relaxing times that show the diversity of the people in our area,” said Powers, who is a communications specialist for the non-profit social service agency Mid-Michigan Industries.
“There’s not one genre or one thing that anchors entertainment opportunities. There is a huge art community with big-time talent and people who like to get involved and interact (with residents and visitors).
“It’s a one-of-a-kind atmosphere that I think people tend to overlook.”
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Music in the Park has been a growing attraction since its start, and Powers hopes to extend the excitement of the 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday series that starts on June 5 and runs through July 31. There is a break in the calendar for the week of July 4 and a change to a Wednesday on June 18 due to a scheduling conflict.
The shows are free and provide an opportunity to make connections, whether attendees are from the community or popping in for the night.
“Mt. Pleasant is a welcoming community for people who want to come and find something they might not experience in their hometown,” Powers said. “We have a lot of opportunities others don’t.
“That’s why we want people to know more about Mt. Pleasant.”
The 2025 summer series is as follows:
- Thursday, June 5: Shari & Wyatt Knapp
- Thursday, June 12: Kevin Chamberlain
- Wednesday, June 18: Two You (Carmi & Todd)
- Thursday, June 26: The Kari Lynch Band
- Thursday, July 10: Dueling Pianos
- Thursday, July 17: Schrock Brothers f/ Peter MADCAT Ruth
- Thursday, July 24: Native Fireball (featuring Ross Miller)
- Thursday, July 3: Kopy Katz
Powers describes the series held at the Island Park Arts Pavilion, where guests can spread a blanket, plant some chairs, and bring a picnic dinner or grab a bite from various food trucks, as having something for everyone.
“The lineup is packed with great musicians,” he said. “We try to make it better every year, and this season is really dynamic.”
The schedule includes Kari Lynch, who was raised in nearby Clare and is now an independent artist based in Nashville. The singer-songwriter has appeared with national artists including Kacey Musgraves, Kelsea Ballerini, Little Big Town, and Dierks Bentley.
“It’s really exciting to have her this year, and we know she’s looking forward to coming home and playing,” Powers said.
The shows are in a laid-back, casual atmosphere that generally attracts between 300 and 700 people. Local arts organizations provide children’s activities, and this year Isabella’s only non-profit animal shelter, the Human Animal Treatment Society, will have a presence for animal adoptions.
Other Mt. Pleasant venues, such as the Ginkgo Tree Inn, are finalizing plans for live summer music, and a calendar of events is regularly updated to track what is happening around town this summer. Rubbles Dive Bar, known for their year-round thriving local music scene, also has a strong line up of bands and comedians this summer. Their Thursday night karaoke is a great way to showcase your own talent or enjoy performances by other amateur singers. Hunter’s Ale House will also host a variety of entertainment on their homegrown hop patio throughout the summer and offers a great selection of craft beers.
In addition to live music, June events like the Mt. Pleasant Craft Beer Festival on June 7 and the Back to the Bricks car show on June 10 provide even more incentive for an early summer trip to Mid-Michigan. The beer festival highlights Michigan makers and supports the Jaycees organization, while the car show includes over 200 classic vehicles, entertainment, and family activities.
This summer, there is something for everyone in Mt. Pleasant. Start making your plans now to see live music in Mt. Pleasant.
