Drewpalooz4 takes over the Pine Grove Bar in Republic next weekend, and every dollar goes to U.P. veterans
Four years ago, an Ishpeming guy named Drew Collister threw himself a birthday party with some live music and a few friends. He had no idea it would grow into one of the U.P.’s favorite feel-good traditions.
It is called Drewpalooza, and the fourth one takes over the Pine Grove Bar in Republic next weekend, June 18 through 20.
The story is about as wholesome as it gets. Back in 2023, Drew, who plays in a few local bands and loves music more than just about anything, decided the best way to celebrate his birthday was to throw a little festival. A couple of acts, a DJ booth, a room full of friends.
But it lit a spark. “I realized I wanted to do more,” he said. “I wanted it to mean something.”
So the next year he moved it to the Pine Grove in Republic and gave it a purpose. Every Drewpalooza now raises money for a local cause close to his heart. Year two went to mental health awareness. Year three supported another local benefit.
This year, the cause is the men and women who served. All the donations from Drewpalooz4 will go to the Michigan Veteran Homes D.J. Jacobetti right here in Marquette, the skilled nursing home that cares for U.P. veterans.
Drew even wrote a song for them. Together with his friend and fellow teacher Matt Byce, he put together an original tune called “One Boot in Front of the Other,” dedicated to the vets at Jacobetti.
And the whole thing keeps growing. What started with a couple of friends now fills a three-day lineup with more than a dozen bands, and packs the Pine Grove to capacity. It is the kind of community spirit the U.P. runs on, the same generosity behind things like the free flights local pilots give U.P. kids every summer, or the cash gifts new U.P. moms now receive.
Best of all, it is completely free to get in. You just show up for the music, the food, and the drinks, and if you want to chip in for the vets, .there are merch tables, food and drink vendors, and donations all weekend.
So if you are anywhere near Republic next weekend, swing by the Pine Grove. Catch some live music, grab a bite, and toss a few bucks toward the vets. It is about the most Yooper way there is to spend a summer weekend.
For the full schedule and any updates, find Drewpalooz4 on Facebook.
Sources: WLUC TV6 and Marquette Music Scene.
Image credits: Photos courtesy of Pine Grove Bar / Drewpalooza. Used with permission.
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