CASS COUNTY, Mich. -- The Connecting Chords Music Festival is returning to Dr. TK Lawless Park in Cass County this month for its fourth annual celebration.

The festival concert, which starts at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 9, will feature a trio of Celtic musicians known as Selkie who play traditional and original music.

"The sounds of flute, fiddle, bouzouki, banjo, guitar, accordion, and harp are woven into Selkie’s music, along with the vocal harmonies they use for their songs," organizers said.

Dr. TK Lawless Park is technically a Dark Sky Park where local star gazers come to search the skies without the glare of city lights clouding their view.

It just so happens that this year's Connecting Chords Music Festival will coincide with the Perseid Meteor Shower which is expected to be visible as early as Aug. 8 and to peak Aug. 11-12.

“Visitors can look forward to a relaxing, peaceful setting to view the meteor shower with food, educational sessions and music available on the 9th,” said Cass County Parks Director Scott Wyman. “I would encourage folks to come early and take advantage of seven miles of some of the most scenic hiking trails in Southwest Michigan with beautiful wildflowers and plenty of wildlife encounters.”

The festival first started in 2020, when COVID shutdowns had the public seeking new and creative ways to gather at safe distances outside. It has been held annually ever since.

“After hosting our first event at Lawless in 2020, it became pretty obvious the park should be a regular venue,” said Elizabeth Start, Executive Director of the Connecting Chords Music Festival. “The atmosphere for music is absolutely amazing. We love celebrating our area musicians in one of the most unique venues in west Michigan.”

There is a $5 cash admission fee per vehicle entering the park, which is located at 15122 Monkey Run St., Jones, Mich.

A rain date for the music festival is set for Aug. 10.

For more info or to find out if the event is still scheduled as planned, check the festival website or call (269) 445-4456.