Shoe Fest 2025 is excited to welcome headliners Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country and bluegrass legend and Grammy winner Peter Rowan, whose career spans from the early years of playing under the tutelage of Bill Monroe to his time in Old & In the Way alongside Jerry Garcia, David Grisman, and beyond. He will be teaming up with none other than Dawg's son, the Sam Grisman Project, to bring that magical music of Old & In the Way to Shoe Fest.
Also joining the lineup are Shoe Fest newcomers LaMP (Russ Lawton and Ray Paczkowski of Trey Anastasio Band + Scott Metzger of Joe Russo’s Almost Dead), the amazing singer-songwriter Tyler Ramsey (formerly of Band of Horses), Arkansauce, The Fretliners, and Dizgo, along with Shoe Fest regulars Allie Kral, host band Old Shoe, Chicago Farmer & the Fieldnotes, Mr. Blotto, and many more.
Past artists who have performed at the fest include heavy hitters like Molly Tuttle, David Grisman, The Wood Brothers, Leftover Salmon, Kitchen Dwellers, Sierra Hull, Keller Williams, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Jeff Austin, Melvin Seals, Eric Krasno, Stanton Moore, The Travelin’ McCourys, Fruition, Elephant Revival, and many more.
The 14th annual Shoe Fest will be held on Labor Day weekend (August 29–31) at Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See in Manteno, IL. Camp Shaw is a 200-acre venue with beautiful big-tree shade, a crystal-clear creek, showers and bathrooms, and family camping. This three-day camping event celebrates community and the creativity spirit that brings us together through art, nature, and world-renowned and local live music.
Shoe Fest is very family-friendly and has expanded its morning family activities to include sets of music by Mr. Dave Music For Kids and the Future of Rock Showcase, Painting With the Shoe Kids by Jon Griffin, The 5th Annual Shoe Duck Race, Kung Fu for Kids, Hunting for Timber’s Treasure, Joyfulbubbles, and more. They have also created a “kids tribe” each morning, where each child gets to meet other kids and participate in activities such as hikes, face painting, crafts, etc. Another creative event for families is a workshop in which attendees can build their own percussive instruments.
Shoe Fest began in 2011 and continues to grow each year in size and spirit. The festival has two stages of music with no overlapping sets, with an emphasis on roots music, such as folk, folk-rock, bluegrass, and jamband. Shoe Fest is about providing a space where every attendee, including the plants and animals who share the grounds, is respected and well accounted for, as well as a place where even the eldest of patrons can feel like a kid again.
Here is what lies in store for Shoe Fest attendees:
'“One More Dance before Summer turns to Fall.”
ART
Art installations throughout the festival grounds range from live painting, vinyl record art, decorative art, to innovative lighting on the grounds.
MUSIC
Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country, Peter Rowan & Sam Grisman Project performing Old & In the Way, Old Shoe, LaMP, Tyler Ramsey, Allie Kral, Chicago Farmer & The Fieldnotes, Arkansauce, The Fretliners, Mr. Blotto, Dizgo, Rucksack Revolution, It's Ice - Phish Tribute, Edward David Anderson, The Sullivan Sisters Duo, Chester Brown, Bird Song Quartet, Janky Limo, Carrie Sue & The Wood Burners, Janky Limo, Fox Crossing String Band, Covington Groove, Lyons & Co., Grassfed Collective, Mr. Dave Music for Kids**, Future of Rock Future of Rock and Teen Jam**
** Music For Kids
HISTORY
The area of Rock Creek that flows through our beautiful Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See was once the home of Potawatomi Chief Shaw-Waw-Nas-See, for which Camp Shaw is named. Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See sits on the site where one of the oldest Potawatomi villages was located. In 1830, there was a great tribal council; Chief Shaw-Waw-Nas-See, who was not only respected by his tribe but by many others in the area, advised his people to make a treaty with settlers in order to maintain their friendship. This eventually led to the mass exodus of the Indians of the Rock Creek area to the reservations in the West.
COMMUNITY
Not only does Shoe Fest bring revenue to community-treasured Camp Shaw, but they have also partnered up with Not-For-Profits, Illinois Native Plant Society and the Special Olympics.
VENDORS
Shoe Fest offers an eclectic array of vendors—from handmade clothing and jewelry to breakfast to dinner, including vegetarian and vegan options.
General Information
Venue Address:
Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See
6641 N 6000W Rd
Manteno, IL 60950
Event dates:
August 29 - 31, 2025
Event prices:
GA 3-Day Passes are $205 (Presale)
Cabins and RVs are SOLD OUT
Shoe Fest 2025 Ticket Info & To Purchase
Shoe Fest gates open at 10AM CST on Friday, August 29 at 10AM.
Children under the age of 2 may enter Shoe Fest free of charge
LINKS:
http://www.shoe-fest.com/
