07/19/2026
EVERYBODY STOP.
OFFICIAL PUBLIC STATEMENT
My thoughts and prayers are with Lonn Hartman, his family, his friends, and everyone affected by the tragic incident reported during the Blissfest Music Organization event near Petoskey, Michigan.
Like many throughout Michigan's festival community, I've been following this developing story with deep concern. As someone who has dedicated years to helping build music communities through DJFest and who has worked alongside communities like Rozland Music Festival, moments like these remind me that our responsibility extends far beyond producing great experiences. We are entrusted with people's lives, their families, and the trust they place in our communities every time they walk through our gates.
Over the past several weeks, I've spent a great deal of time reflecting on accountability, documentation, and the difficult responsibility organizations carry when responding to situations that affect people's lives. Those reflections and the conversations surrounding recent events across our festival community, including Electric Forest have only reinforced my belief that compassion, transparency, patience, and a commitment to the truth must guide us during moments like this.
Right now, this is not about speculation or assigning blame. It is about supporting a family that is hurting, respecting the investigative process, and encouraging anyone with firsthand knowledge of what occurred to come forward through the appropriate law enforcement channels so investigators have every opportunity to establish the facts.
Every incident that impacts our festival communities should strengthen our commitment to one another. We owe it to every attendee, artist, volunteer, organizer, and family to continue improving how we communicate, how we respond, and how we support people during their most difficult moments. That commitment is not about protecting reputations at the expense of truth. It is about ensuring that truth, accountability, compassion, and due process work together to strengthen the communities we all care about.
To Lonn and his loved ones: please know that people across Michigan's music community are thinking about you, praying for your healing, and hoping for answers.
If you have verified information that may assist this investigation, please contact the appropriate authorities. Even the smallest detail could help investigators better understand what happened.
📞 Harbor Springs Police Department: 231-526-6211
📞 Emmet County Sheriff's Office: 231-347-3911
📞 Detective: 231-439-8918
The strongest communities are not measured only by how they celebrate together. They are measured by how they care for one another when tragedy strikes.
"Sometimes using your voice means using it for someone who can't right now."
- Marty Mar
Founder, DJFest App
