The Good Life Festival returns for spring in Queen Creek
Posted
In the 11 years that we've been doing this we try to bring in like three headliners every year. I mean some of the greatest classic rock bands have played at the Good Life Festival, so we're kind of excited about the lineup that we have this year.”
Just four months after the last Good Life Festival, the event is returning to its usual springtime schedule.
The November event was a make good on the original festival that was canceled because of COVID-19. Now the Shea Homes Good Life Festival Presented by Subaru is back on track and celebrating its 11th year.
The Good Life Festival is returning to Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek on Saturday, March 19.
“November that was a make good from the one that we were trying to schedule in March of 2020, but you know what happened then,” said Kerry Dunne, principal of R Entertainment, which is producing the festival. “So many winter visitors that come here in the spring we had to refund all their money because they just weren't going to be here in November. They don't get here until after January.”
As always, the musical lineup is aimed at pleasing baby boomers. This year the headlining act is Grand Funk Railroad. Also taking the stage are Jefferson Starship, Fran Cosmo and Anton Cosmo formerly of the band Boston, as well as local favorites Nate Nathan and the Mac Daddy-O’s.
But the Good Life Festival is much more than music.
“We're going to have 30 wineries there, 20 craft brewers and 10 distillers,” Dunne said. “So along with lots of gourmet food and shopping it's a whole lifestyle. People just hang out in between the bands, they'll taste some wine, they'll go do a little shopping, they'll eat some lobster and it's just a wonderful day for anybody that comes but especially the 55-plus folks.”
Dunne expects about 8,000 people to come to the Good Life Festival in March.
“We sold out a lot at Encanterra almost every year for the last five years,” Dunne said. “Now with Schnepf Farms we have a much, much broader capacity. We'll be able to accommodate more fans.”
As in November, guests can take part in glamping, or glamorous camping with their RVs.
“We have two styles of camping. The glamping comes from Schnepf Farms, which has all these really super cool Air Streams that come with breakfast and a few other things,” Dunne said. “Then we also have right off the festival grounds we have a large campsite that can accommodate over a hundred motorhomes. Now our camping is different because we're older. Nobody's got a pup tent and a sleeping bag. These are all amazing RVs.
But the festival’s focus doesn’t stray far from the music. Dunne is excited about having Grand Funk Railroad headlining the event.
“You know back in the day they used to sell out stadiums, he said. “Grand Funk is now on tour with Kid Rock, so they're kind of being revitalized all over again to a much younger audience.”
While younger people may be attracted to the festival, there’s no doubt the music is aimed squarely at boomers.
“In the 11 years that we've been doing this we try to bring in like three headliners every year,” Dunne said. “I mean some of the greatest classic rock bands have played at the Good Life Festival, so we're kind of excited about the lineup that we have this year.
“Last year, that lineup of America, Don Felder of the Eagles and the Guess Who just blew everybody's socks off because, again, all three of those bands had so many major hits. The vibe is incredible. It's electric because people are all reliving their youth and they're dancing and having fun. People are really there to enjoy themselves and it's a very affluent crowd.”
Taking advantage of that expendable income, a guitar from every band that plays the festival is auctioned off to help charities
Schedule
2 p.m. – Gates open
3 p.m. – Nate Nathan and The Mac Daddy-O’s
4:30 p.m. – Fran Cosmo & Anton Cosmo
6 p.m. – Jefferson Starship
7:45 p.m. – Grand Funk Railroad
Tickets
Reserved Seating: $100 to $150
General Admission: $75
VIP: $46 upgrade add-on; featuring access to separate bar and upgraded restroom facilities. (Purchase of reserved seating or GA ticket required.) Tickets are limited.
Beverage Tasting Passports: $25 beverage tasting passports will be available onsite. Passports provide 10 samples of wine, craft beer and/or bourbon tastings. Regular bars will be available for full drink purchases as well.
Janet Perez News Editor | Queen Creek &
San Tan Valley @AzNewsmedia
Meet Janet Janet Perez joined Independent Newsmedia as editor of the Queen Creek Independent and Florence Independent in 2020. She started her career in 1989 with the Gannett-owned El Paso Times. In 1992, she moved to Tempe and has worked in newspapers, magazines, radio and television. She left Arizona for three years to work at New Mexico State University and Baylor University before returning to work at Arizona State University. Missing the business, she went back to journalism in 2017.
Community: A long-time pet owner, she supports animal welfare causes.
Education: University of Texas at El Paso with a BA in journalism and a minor in political science.
Random Fact: She had a head full of random facts.
Hobbies: Reading, watching documentaries, cooking and playing with her dogs.
By 
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here