May 23-26 (Memorial Day Weekend)
Bus Benefit
presented by: Buses by the Beach
at Smiling Acres in Trufant, MI

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Event Details

Join us at Smiling Acres for rustic camping, live music, huge raffle (including a daily 50/50 drawing), silent auction of VW-related items, great family fun activities like tie dying, kids talent show, BIG kids talent show, open mic acoustic sessions at the Woods Stage, community breakfast Monday morning and more! Enjoy nature trails in the woods, impromptu jam sessions and the company of hundreds of your best friends! All VW’s and VW lovers are welcome. No need to have a bus!

Primitive Camping with no electricity or water hookups. There is a potable water source in the camping area and everyone’s favorite restroom trailer near the main stage. There will also be porta-potties throughout the festival grounds. A shower trailer will be available onsite. Donations for its use will be accepted at the shower entrance.

We are continuing our pack in, pack out trash policy.

No generators, no drums and NO individual fires. For safety reasons, we have a NO OPEN FLAMES policy, but we do have a community fire pit for everyone to enjoy.

A charging station will be available near the merchandise tent.

Dogs are welcome if they are friendly, remain on a leash under the control of their owner, do well in crowds and are cleaned up after. Unruly animals and their owners will be asked to leave.

Insect repellent is a good idea. May is tick season out here in Montcalm County.

There is non-campsite parking provided free of charge on the festival grounds.

Alcohol is permitted but obnoxious drunks are not. This is a family-friendly camping event so please be respectful of others.

We reserve the right to remove or prohibit any individuals that we feel are behaving in a manner inconsistent with our values.

We will host a 3 channel Silent Disco Party on Saturday Night after the main stage closer. Passes will be available for $10 per person. Wristbands may be purchased at the Buses By the Beach merchandise booth during regular open hours. YOU MUST HAVE A WRISTBAND in order to join the party.

Returning This Year
Early entry to Bus Benefit 2025 will be available to Volkswagen Bus Owners who arrive IN THEIR BUS and have purchased a weekend pass. Early entry will begin on Thursday, May 22, 2025 @ 4:00 pm. Again, this is only for Volkswagen Bus Owners who arrive IN THEIR BUS. No Exceptions.

Gates open to ALL ticket holders on Friday, May 23, 2024 @ 9:00 am.

Per Person Weekend Admission Rates for those 18 and older:

• Early Bird Tickets are $90 through April 15.
• Advance tickets are $120 through May 18. After that, tickets will be available at the full gate price.
• Gate admission will be available for $150.
• Day passes will be available at the gate for $70 per person.
• 18 and over pay the above prices
• 17 and under free when accompanied by a paid adult

Vehicle Fee:
There is a $30 fee for ALL NON VW Bus vehicles that you wish to leave parked in your campsite including motorcycles, hovercraft and pope-mobiles.

Once again, we are offering an RV Pass for Large RVs. This applies to ALL RVs 19 feet or longer. The RV Pass will cost $75 and NEW THS YEAR, WE WILL HAVE UNLIMITED SPACE FOR RVs! However, those wishing to camp in their RVs MUST PURCHASE AN RV PASS PRIOR TO MAY 19. After that, RV passes will no longer be available. NO EXCEPTIONS. **This pass does not include the cost of admission to the event. Weekend tickets must be purchased in addition to this pass.**

We will offer premium reserved camping spaces on a first come, first served basis. The number of reserved spaces sold is limited, so buy early! These reserved camp sites DO NOT include the price of adult admission. You must purchase that separately.

• Main Stage Camping – $50 – These reserved sites overlook the main stage and can be reserved by those camping in their VW campers only. Supplemental tents are acceptable as long as they are part of the party that is camping in their Microbus, Bus, Vanagon or Eurovan.
• Reserved Camping – $30 – Includes camping close to the main stage, vendors, food trucks, premium bathrooms. Your space will be reserved for you until you arrive. These spaces are for any campers NOT camping in an RV that is 19 ft long or greater.

Please Note:

• Ticket prices are per person & do not include vehicle fee.
• Event will take place rain or shine. NO REFUNDS. NO CANCELLATIONS. NO EXCEPTIONS.

October 3-5
Bus Boo!!!
presented by: Buses by the Beach
at Hungry Horse Campground in Dorr, MI

Details to come.