Manistee Amphitheater Foundation receives $10K donation

The Manistee Amphitheater Foundation received a $10,000 donation from Salt City Rock and Blues, boosting its fundraising efforts to build a music venue at First Street Beach in Manistee. The donation was presented on Oct. 19, 2026 by Salt City Rock and Blues president Tom Volkema to the foundation's president, Mark Sandstedt, at First Street Beach.

Salt City Rock and Blues, a nonprofit established in 2013, has played a significant role in supporting the foundation. According to Sandstedt, “Without the efforts of Salt City Rock and Blues, having gone through that first iteration of the amphitheater and having the feasibility study kind of determine that was too big, we wouldn't be where we're at now with the proper venue at the proper place at the proper time. They gave us our original money to start up, and I think it's over $30,000. ... So, they've had a big part in this. It's just important to recognize them as we kind of take the torch and run with it.”

The group raises funds through its annual LaborFest event for local causes and initially worked to establish an amphitheater at First Street Beach. However, after a feasibility study found that a full amphitheater could not be supported, the goal shifted to constructing a bandshell venue. The Manistee Amphitheater Foundation was created in December 2024 to oversee the project’s design, fundraising, construction, and maintenance.

Salt City Rock and Blues president Tom Volkema noted, "We've been working on this for a while and we were kind of at a standstill until the amphitheater foundation stepped in. We kind of got involved with them, and it's going great."

The $10,000 donation will have an even greater impact due to a $1.6 million challenge grant for any funds raised or pledged before December 31, matching each dollar. Pledges can be distributed over 2026, 2027, and through June 30, 2028. Donors who give $5,000 or more will be recognized on a mosaic tile donor wall.

For more information: manisteeaf.org.

Source: Manistee News Advocate, Oct 20, 2026. Reporter: Kyle Kotecki.

Source: manisteenews.com.