HOLLAND — This year’s 6th annual 419 MusicFest is set for Saturday, Sept. 20, at Community Homecoming Park on Angola Road. As the grand finale of Springfield Township’s Summer Series 2025, the free event will offer a day of music with a lineup of 11 vibrant local artists. Beyond the stage, the festival is a critical lifeline for the community, with all proceeds going toward two vital causes: funding firefighter mental health initiatives and supporting the H.E.R.O. (Health, Education, Resources, and Outreach) Program.
For Springfield Township Fire Chief Jonathan Ziehr, the mission is deeply personal. He describes the fire department’s personnel as their #1 asset and highlights the growing mental health crisis in the profession.
“Firefighter suicides are now more likely than dying in the line of duty,” Chief Ziehr said. “That’s an unacceptable statistic to me personally.”
The trauma firefighters endure daily is a contributing factor. From responding to car accidents to witnessing the aftermath of fires and other emergencies, these experiences have a compounding effect on their mental health.
The funds raised at 419 MusicFest go directly to the Springfield Township Firefighters Union Local 3544. This 501(c)(3) nonprofit helps cover out-of-pocket co-pays for counseling sessions, which can range from $40 to $100 per visit. “We need to do something to combat these negative effects on our personnel,” Chief Ziehr emphasized.
The festival also continues its support for the H.E.R.O. program, which helps elderly community members who need assistance to live safely and independently in their homes. The program allows the department to provide crucial support beyond emergencies, from installing grab bars to providing slip-resistant mats. “This allows those individuals to continue to have their own independence, and live at their residence of their choice,” he said.
This year’s event marks a new chapter, with Springfield Township taking the lead on operations. Founder Todd Boatfield remains actively involved, and his dedication was instrumental in creating a festival where “you can party with a purpose,” as event organizers Kristina White and Rachel Geiger have noted. The event is a chance for the community to connect with its first responders.
As White said, “The fire department is not an entity. It is a family.”
419 MusicFest also supports the families of the Springfield Township Fire Department’s personnel. For over two decades, the department has provided scholarships to the children of its personnel. Chief Ziehr proudly shared that his small department has given out over 50 scholarships in the past 20 years, with three to four students awarded annually. The scholarships can be used for any career path, reflecting the department’s investment in the future of their families.
The MusicFest promises a day of non-stop entertainment with a full lineup of 11 top local artists. Attendees can bring blankets, lawn chairs, and small pop-up tents to enjoy the music. The theme of community and family will be on full display. The music kicks off at noon and features sets from fan favorites like Piggyback Jones and the beloved Leadfoot Granny, who will close out the night at 10 p.m.
The roster also includes a special performance from Thee Andi Jo Experience, led by Springfield High School alumni, Andi Jo Taylor. Taylor is both a singer and an actress, having recently played the role of Emma in The Lifeguards (2024), a movie filmed in Toledo. Her performance is a special full-circle moment for now-Trustee Chair Rachel Geiger, who handed Taylor her high school diploma when Geiger served on the Springfield school board. Geiger is proud to see a former student thriving as a Glass City star.
With free admission, free parking, and a variety of food trucks, the 419 MusicFest is a chance for the entire community to come together. Attendees can support the cause through beverage and merchandise purchases, as well as easy QR code donations available throughout the park. Digital screens set up throughout the park will ensure a great view of the stage from anywhere. With nearly 70 sponsors and a dedicated team, the 419 MusicFest is set to be a powerful and memorable day of community, music, and giving back.
