An adult man suffered deep cuts to his neck during the Blissfest music festival held July 10–12 at the Festival Farm north of Harbor Springs, authorities say. Officials have not said whether the injuries were self-inflicted or the result of an altercation, and the man remains hospitalized. Emmet County investigators have opened a probe and are asking festivalgoers who may have footage or information to come forward.
The injured man has been identified as Lonn Hartman, a professional mentor with Detroit-based youth program Friends of the Children - Detroit, and colleagues say he is receiving treatment, as reported by the Detroit Free Press. The organization lists Hartman on its staff page. A GoFundMe set up to help with medical and recovery expenses had raised more than $31,000 by July 20, according to the Free Press.
In a release posted last Saturday, the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office urged anyone who attended Blissfest to contact investigators directly rather than posting unverified details on social media, saying rumors have distracted detectives from processing evidence. The department provided a tip line at (231) 439-8900 and an email, [email protected], for people with information, according to reporting by 9&10 News.
Blissfest's website says the festival ran July 10–12 on the organization’s roughly 200-acre Festival Farm, which organizers list at 3695 Division Road in Harbor Springs. Festival organizers have not issued a standalone statement about the injury beyond saying they are cooperating with law enforcement.
Investigation Underway
Investigators say the probe remains active as detectives follow leads and process evidence, and they asked the public to watch only official channels for verified updates. "We ask the public to refrain from spreading unverified accounts or rumors," the sheriff's office wrote in its release, as reported by 9&10 News.
Community Response
Colleagues and acquaintances have rallied to support Hartman as he recovers, with a fundraiser to cover medical costs drawing sizable donations. Friends of the Children - Detroit lists Hartman among its professional mentors, and local organizers say they are coordinating support for the mentor and his family.
The sheriff's office said it will share updates through its official channels when appropriate and asked the public to preserve any footage or evidence that could help the investigation. Anyone who believes they saw something at Blissfest or has material that could help investigators is asked to call the tip line or email the department.
