On July 25 Umphrey’s McGee, the jam scene’s masters of improg (improvisational progressive rock), will be bringing their unique sound and vibes to Ravinia in Highland Park, Illinois. This will be the band’s first appearance at this historic venue near their home town of Chicago, and it promises to be quite the treat. Ticket prices start at just $20 for the lawn and top out at $50 for pavilion box seats. Lawn ticket holders are being encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, coolers, and their own food and drinks. It seems that the members of Umphrey’s McGee want to this to be a real day out at the park for their fans. Umphreaks are seemingly excited, with one Facebook commentator saying, “Everyone bring franzia and wheels of cheese, but like way too much of each so it becomes a thing.”

The historic Ravinia is the oldest outdoor music festival site in the United States. It was opened in 1904 as an amusement park intended to lure riders to the Chicago & Milwaukee Electric Railroad. Today, Ravinia attracts 600,000 listeners to 120-150 events during their summer months of operation, and boasts a lineup of word class musicians. Umphrey’s McGee will be playing in the site’s Pavilion, a 3,400-seat open-air covered pavilion. The concert will be broadcast to the lawn through the venue’s state-of-the-art sound system while fans relax.

This promises to be a special show for the band, especially since it is on their home turf. So if you are in the area it is best not to miss this one.

Tickets go on sale March 5 for Ravinia donors. For information on how to become a donor call 847.266.5461. Umphrey’s Tickets pre-sale begins April 18 at 10:00 a.m., and tickets go on sale to the general public April 24 at 5:00 CST at http://www.ravinia.org/

Are you excited for the band’s performance? What will be in your cooler? What songs are you hoping to hear?