Heritage Landing, Downtown Muskegon
June 24-July 4
$129 for Pizza Hut 11-day pass, $99 for 10-day pass
Individual tickets vary by concert
summercelebration.com

From air shows to parades and BBQ, to nationally acclaimed bands, Muskegon's Summer Celebration lives up to its slogan: "Where it's at!"

Located at Heritage Landing on the edge of Michigan Lake, and spilling over into downtown Muskegon, this 11-day festival transforms the city into one fun party-boasting of such famous invitees as Toby Keith, Styx, and O.A.R.

Beginning on June 24, Summer Celebration starts off its all-star lineup of Miller Lite Headline Artists with legendary ‘70s rock group ZZ Top. On June 27, country music takes over, moseying onto the festival grounds with Toby Keith, Randy Houser, and Bucky Covington at the reigns. Foreigner and Styx, both major league players in terms of arena rock, take the stage on June 29, O.A.R. joins the fun on June 30, and the notable names of Papa Roach and Chevelle step up to bat on July 1.

In addition to the national headliners, local music fans will have the opportunity to hear from Muskegon's own Four Finger Five, the rock and blues opener for O.A.R., as well as the winners of Summer Celebration's Battle of the Bands, Brena and Deadwood Stone. Other local West Michigan bands, like Brian Lorente and the Usual Suspects, will get their shot on stage as well.

Since Summer Celebration launched in 1993 with a total budget of $170,000, it has transformed from a modest party into an all-out extravaganza with more than 600,000 attendees and a music budget exceeding $600,000. Summer Celebration coordinator Tanya Gonzalez accounts for the festival's increasing popularity by looking to the fun-loving people of West Michigan.

"West Michigan loves their music and they love a party," she said. "Summer Celebration is known for both."

Although Gonzalez may not have the opportunity to hear all of the bands, as she will be working to keep things running smoothly, she gets the enjoyment of watching people "enjoying the outside, the view and great music, and meeting up with friends."