Lansing — When the gates at Common Ground Music Festival opened Monday evening, people scrambled to the front of the venue, where staff members were ready and waiting.
"When they first came in, there was a mad dash for the front," said Robert Riley, a 1951 MSU graduate who was seating people in the lawn.
Despite soaring temperatures, thousands of fans flocked to Adado Riverfront Park for the second night of music featuring Los Lonely Boys, Dutch Henry and Joshua and Jeremy Sprague at the West Sandbar.
Common Ground, a festival grounded on national, contemporary live music is the Lansing area's premier summer cultural event. The festival is about community, focused on people living in Mid-Michigan and is designed to bring them to the capital city.
"After (Capital City) Riverfest went away, former Mayor (David) Hollister decided he wanted to see a downtown music festival again, so he came up with the Common Ground concert," said Malinda Barr, media coordinator for the festival, in its eighth year.
Following a successful first night, with more than 10,000 people in attendance, expectations were high Monday. Dickey Betts & Great Southern kicked it off on the Capital City Airport West Main Stage and were followed by '70s guitar god Peter Frampton.
Riley and fellow worker Patrick Amante left the frenzy of center stage to guard other parts of the lawn - each sectioned off with lines designating where seats were to be placed.
"I'm the hardass of the handicap area," Amante said with a grin.
"Shut up - he's interviewing me!" Riley said, playfully interjecting. That was the atmosphere throughout the grounds at Adado - fun and filled with excitement.
Along with thousands of others, Ernie Aldera patiently waited for the band to take the West Main Stage.
Fans across the yard agreed music reigns superior at the festival, but what kind of music?
"Classic rock - look at us. What else could it be?" said Jim Tamarelli, an Olivet resident who has attended for the past six years. "The price - you can't beat it. We paid 72 bucks … that's nine bucks a night."
The bar and beer tents were hopping with music being belted out in the background that included the Spragues' renditions of Bob Marley's "Is This Love" and Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues."
With the main stages quiet, the true party was centered around the Spragues as they started the second part of their set with their own remix of "Ignition Remix" by R. Kelly.
Cheers were heard throughout the covered bar area - one of a very few spots for reprieve from the sun. With Grand River Avenue and Lansing sights as the backdrop, the festival hones in on community.
"It's good music you don't normally get to see around Lansing," said Del Dargatz, a Millett resident who added that the festival does great things for the city. "The number of people to the downtown area - it's just a good boost for the whole city."
