SUMMER OASIS HISTORY: THE EXPERIENCE OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS & NONE STOP MUSIC..

The Summer Oasis Music Festival (SOMF) is a weekend unlike any other. Seamlessly merging concepts of glamping and live music. Guests can enjoy non stop music by A-List National & International DJs while recharging in the idyllic atmosphere of Idlewild, MI.  

The original idea of a tent party was founded in 2004 by SOMF CEO Cedric McDougle. What began as a private one-time family reunion with Cedric’s closest circle soon was cultivated into the treasured annual event full of good music and even better times. 

At the start, Cedric would DJ the event on his own iPod, but his vision continued to grow each year to friends and associates and beyond. The tent party continued to be held privately for eight years at a football field on Cedric’s uncle’s property in Southfield, MI. In 2013, the last privately held tent party  was held on that same field. Cedric saw the potential in his concept and sought to bring the good times to more people.

He knew that there was one main thing that he needed in order to bring his vision to life: waterfront property that held meaning. After two years of searching for the perfect location, Cedric finally found his Arcadia in no other than historic Paradise Lake in Idlewild, MI. Paradise Lake has been known for its serenity by thousands of visitors since the early 20th century.  

Also called the “Black Eden,” Idlewild is a place where people of color can celebrate life without fear of being on the receiving end of racist aggressions. Idlewild is a captivating place that is vibrant with Black recreational, intellectual, and cultural history. What originally was the result of segregation and racist treatment towards Black Americans became a place of respite and escapism for all. Names such as Louis Armstrong, B.B. King, and Aretha Franklin have contributed to the historical narrative of Idlewild. We like to honor its humble past and continue to foster community growth while adding a bit of funk to its recent history. By attending the SOMF, you are supporting and revitalizing a small, close-knit town full of whimsy and charm.  

The first public holding of the Summer Oasis Music Festival took place in 2016. The festival, which is held annually on the third weekend of August, incorporates 3-days of music, community vibes, and glamping. Glamping (“glamorous luxurious camping”) is one of the hottest trends in the travel experience, and we are the first music festival to bring this concept to Michigan. At Summer Oasis, we encourage community building and expressing your creativity through the creation of highly personalized glamping sites. You don’t need to break the bank in order to create a fulfilling experience. You can enliven your space with your favorite cozy bedding and items from home to create a lovely atmosphere that you are proud of. 

Summer Oasis is dedicated to pushing the envelope beyond normality to the point that it transcends proconceived notions and conditioned expectations. Changing old presecptions with a new reality.

The SOMF experience is a rare one. You get to create your own experience with like-minded people in the great outdoors. Traditional camping isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, and we totally get that. Each glamping tent attempts to outdo the other in extravagance, and reflects the gorgeous variation of personalities that Michigan has to offer. Prepare your checklist for the glamping experience of a lifetime, and revel in the adventure of creating a DIY glamping site that reflects your creative side. To solidify the community, each tent has its own themed food and/or drink to share with their neighbors. Whether it be martinis, mojitos, or wine tastings, there is plenty of love and light to go around at the Summer Oasis festival. 

The SOMF community thrives from forming genuine connections and meeting new people. There are endless things to do during the days, and whether it be exploring the lake by paddleboat or kayaks, biking through the historic town, or enjoying an idyllic walk, you have a chance to recharge after long hours of dancing. At night, SOMF comes to life with the endless array of string lights and fire pits that fuel conversation and good times. There is a mysterious glow that encompasses the grounds and encourages moments of reflection and a calm escape from our hectic lives. 

This year, we are coming to terms with the lost summers of 2020 and 2021, and are preparing to welcome our SOMF family back to our grounds in 2022 with humility and open arms. We're bringing Sexy back!! And that means you!!. Until then, dig DEEP into your bag of tricks and bring your WOW!! Factor. 

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