Free of corporate demands and restrictions, Sturgeon Bay's Steel Bridge Songfest, June 12-14, may very well be one of the last music festivals to be locally and organically organized and achieved.

Reminiscent of Neil Young's Bridge School Benefits and Stewart Copeland's invite-only songwriting sanctuaries, Steel Bridge Songfest fulfills both the artistic ambition for collective creation as well as the listener's desire for inspired music while supporting a sustainable cause.

Steel Bridge Songfest is the result when music is used to unite artists, motivate volunteers and attract supporters.

For three days Steel Bridge Songfest infiltrates the small Door County town. Bowling alleys, museums, restaurants and outdoor patios are converted into coveted music venues and locals generously respond by providing food, amenities and hospitality to traveling artists and their followers. It is an organic experience fed by a collective love of music, history and humanity.

Following the Wisconsin tradition of festival distinction, Steel Bridge Songfest has grown and now hosts over 150 original acts on 15 stages. In addition to daily performances, the weekend event includes two days of singer/songwriter collaboration and recording. Invited musicians spend two days at the Holiday Music Motel where they are encouraged to write and produce about the metaphorical significance of a steel bridge.

"I was invited to participate as a writer and performer last year and it was a life changing experience. This year, I found myself really deeply involved," says melaniejane, an acoustic indie musician and event volunteer.

The long list of performers, including Jackson Browne, Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Go's and Freedy Johnston, is sure to answer any call for specific genre, style or mood. Artists from cities like Los Angeles, Austin and Atlanta join a list of regional musicians to highlight the area's flourishing music scene.

"The festival has always tried to find a real mix and balance of genres," says melaniejane. "We'll have people from all over the country with a balance of males and females; different genres and instruments. Especially for songwriting themes, you get really great things happening when you put all these varieties together."

The Door County-based group, founded by siblings Christie Weber and Pat Macdonald, started eleven years ago in an effort to save Sturgeon Bay's historic Michigan Street Bridge. What began as a personal love of bridges and distinctive architecture quickly developed into a larger, community-wide cause. Changing names and declaring non-profit status in 2005, Citizens for the Bridge works to create awareness and financial support for bridge repairs and maintenance.

The bridge is on the National Registry of Historic Places yet federal and state funding shortages continuously threaten the architectural integrity of the massive, iconic steel structure. The bridge has a Scherzer-type rolling lift; a structural rarity found on only one other bridge in the country.

In 2005, the organization's first event was free to the public yet managed to draw 3,000 people and raise $60,000 in donations. Only three years later, Citizens for the Bridge expects five times the attendance and aims to raise $1 million.

"It's amazing all the people who are offering to come up and play for free," says melaniejane. "I think that to donate a performance is just incredible."

This year's million-dollar restoration fund drive is dedicated to securing funds for long range maintenance issues not currently included in the Department of Transportation's rehabilitation plans for the area. More specifically, the group plans to use funds to paint the bridge and as a result, increase the structure's integrity and decrease future restoration needs and costs.

This year, the Citizens for Our Bridge Green Committee along with several local Green organizations have teamed up to provide concert goers with shuttle service between Sturgeon Bay, Fish Creek and Sister Bay.

"There is an amazing level of commitment from everyone involved; the support from the community is incredible. So many people have donated time, venues and food without question."

One day or three day passes can be purchased in advance or at the door on the day of the event.