Skip Jones, folksinger and storyteller, to give concert in Van Riper State Park Aug. 25

Skip Jones, folksinger and storyteller, performs at Baraga State Park earlier this month as part of his "Water is Life" Summer 2012 Tour. He will give a free concert again this Saturday, Aug. 25, at Van Riper State Park near Champion, Mich. The concert will include a Wild Blueberry Shortcake Social. (Photos © and courtesy Margaret Comfort unless otherwise indicated.)

CHAMPION -- Skip Jones, Wisconsin folksinger and storyteller, will give a free concert, accompanied by a Wild Blueberry Shortcake Social from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25, at Van Riper State Park near Champion, Mich. The concert is part of his "Water is Life" Summer 2012 Tour.

Tara Melleen, Department of Natural Resources hostess at Baraga State Park, welcomes visitors to Skip Jones's Aug. 10 concert.

Sing along with the traveling troubador. Words of Wisdom for all. Rain or shine. No charge for the event, but to enter the park for free, you must possess a Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Recreation Passport.

At the concert he gave in Baraga State Park on August 10, 2012, Jones talked about his concerns for the water and the environmental threats to rivers, lakes and streams -- especially from the mining industry.

"When you look at water -- at some point you realize it's who we are," Jones said.

Margaret Comfort of Save the Wild UP, who helped organize Skip Jones's "Water is Life" Summer 2012 Tour, introduces Jones to the audience at Baraga State Park. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Jones said he worked with groups who fought the Crandon Mine (that threatened the Wolf River in Wisconsin) for 27 years.

His wife, Judy Gosz, who accompanied Skip on the tour, said, "I think it's some kind of a sadistic joke that we have to fight for clean water and clean air -- resources that should belong to all the people."

Jones, who is a Navy veteran, is a member of Veterans for Peace and Guitars for Vets. He teaches veterans to play guitar, and they teach others to play.

"I also sit with vets that are dying and sing with them," he said.

Jones also works with the homeless and food pantries.

"The needs are so incredibly enormous," he said.

Jones will also give concerts in Big Bay, Marquette and Munising in September. Dates will be announced.

More photos of the Aug. 10 concert in Baraga State Park:

Participants in the Baraga State Park Rendezvous event attend the concert by Skip Jones in Baraga State Park. (Photos © and courtesy Margaret Comfort)

Linda and Dave Rulison of Friends of the Land of Keweenaw joined the audience at the Skip Jones concert in Baraga.

A young visitor listens intently as Skip tells stories for young and old.

Skip sings a special birthday song to a young fan.