KISS at Veterans Memorial Stadium, mixing in with the Cadillac Marching Vikings and making rock history. Photo Courtesy of Dave Foley for Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau
“Cadillac has had this magical connection to KISS ever since the band surprised the community with a homecoming concert 50 years ago, and we are celebrating in a big way in 2025 to commemorate that anniversary,” said Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau Executive Director Kathy Morin, whose organization is marketing the region’s KISS-related anniversary events. “We have events and activities for everyone to enjoy now through October – whether you were here 50 years ago and want to reminisce, you are a member of the KISS Army of fans, or you’re just curious about the KISS phenomenon and want to be part of the energy. Our businesses are on board as well, creating a variety of KISS-themed experiences.”
Photo Courtesy of Dave Foley via the Cadillac CVB
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Cadillac “KISStory”
Cadillac’s KISS connection dates to the fall of 1974, when the Cadillac High School Vikings football team had a rough start to its season after finishing the 1973 season undefeated. When they lost the first two games, the coaches decided to play rock and roll music before practices and games to lift the team’s spirits. Assistant Coach Jim Neff picked the music, choosing a new American rock band formed in 1973 called KISS. The team won the next seven games and captured the conference co-championship.
Neff contacted the band to thank them for rallying the team to a winning season. Intrigued by the story, KISS surprised the town by visiting Cadillac High School during homecoming on October 9, 1975. The band joined the football team in the homecoming parade, performed a concert in the high school gym, received a key to the city of Cadillac, and departed via helicopter from Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Photo Courtesy of Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau
“Not only were they wild, bold, and loud, their name invoked an old football credo — Keep It Simple Stupid. It was a match that was meant to be,” said former Assistant Football Coach Jim Neff, also a retired teacher and journalist who has worked to keep the legendary KISS visit to Cadillac alive.
40 Years Later
For the 40th anniversary in October 2015, Cadillac hosted a KISS homecoming event featuring a concert in the high school gym by KISS tribute band Mr. Speed, unveiled an eight-foot, 5,000-pound granite KISS Monument on the school grounds, and played a video message from KISS while they were on tour in Australia. It is the only KISS monument in the world.
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KISS50 Cadillac Reunion Events and Activities
Cadillac is celebrating the official KISS50 anniversary from October 9 through 12. At the same time, related events and activities start in August and run through October. Decorations adorn the area, with KISS-themed banners on light poles and KISS-decorated storefronts downtown along Mitchell Street, and a giant banner welcoming visitors to Cadillac West.
Pre-Anniversary Events and Activities
Highlights of the pre-anniversary events include (with updates and additions added at kisscadillac.com):
KISStory Self-Guided History Tour
Ongoing throughout Cadillac. The Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau produced an updated brochure of a four-stop, self-guided tour retracing the steps the band took in 1975. Stops include Veterans Memorial Stadium, Cadillac High School Gym, Old City Hall/ Firehouse, and Mitchell Street/homecoming parade route. Each has a commemorative marker featuring photos and an explanation of why the spot is significant. The brochure also explains Cadillac’s history with the band and anecdotes of their visit.
Photo Courtesy of Dave Foley via Cadillac CVB
KISS50 Exhibit
July 30 through October at the Wexford Historical Society Museum. A new exhibit showcases memorabilia related to KISS’s visit 50 years ago. The exhibit includes original newspaper and magazine clippings plus firsthand accounts, photos, and artifacts from local KISS fans and alumni. Open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
KISS Experiences
August through October, throughout Cadillac. More than 10 businesses will give fans ways to enjoy KISS-related products. You’ll find items like “Clam Lake Party Every Day Hazy IPA” and “Rock and Roll All Night Session Light” at Clam Lake Beer Co., “Dark & Roll” custom-blend coffee at Owl Eye Coffee Roasters, “Cadillac Rock City” (Rocky Road) Moomers ice cream flavor at The Sweet Shop, and KISS cut-out sugar cookies at Wildflour Bakery, among other KISS-themed products. You’ll find a map locally at many of the featured stops. Look for Caddy Bear’s “KISS50 Cadillac Reunion Tour Stop” sign in the windows of participating businesses, available online, and updated with new participating businesses.
KISS Photo Opps
August through October, throughout Cadillac. Businesses are “KISS-ifying” their properties with everything from KISS band cut-outs to banners to decorated storefronts. Check back to kisscadillac.com/kisstory for updated listings.
You can even stay in a KISS-themed cabin and add a KISS-themed experience at Mackinaw Timbers Cabins starting in August. Book the whole KISS50 experience today.
KISS50 Cadillac Reunion Anniversary Weekend – October 9 through 12
The 50th anniversary culminates with a four-day weekend featuring marquee events organized by the Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau and Cadillac Area Public Schools. More details will be available closer to the anniversary weekend. Events confirmed to date include:
Cadillac Vikings Football Game and Tailgate Followed by KISS-themed Drone Show
October 10, Veterans Memorial Stadium overlooking Lake Cadillac. KISS fans can cheer on the Vikings, the reason behind Cadillac’s KISS connection, at the stadium where the band departed via helicopter on October 9, 1975. You’ll find KISS experiences in conjunction with the football game.
KISS50 5K
October 11 Starts at the Cadillac Commons along the Lake Cadillac shoreline.
Cadillac KISS50 Rockumentary
October 11 with viewings at Cadillac High School (times TBD). The Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau produced this film, which reflects on the 50-year legacy, featuring interviews with Jim Neff and others who experienced the KISS visit firsthand.
Mr. Speed KISS Tribute Concert
October 11 at The Venue, 902 W 13th St. This highly acclaimed KISS tribute band has been performing for more than 30 years and will play all the favorite hits – and in full costume. Tickets are on sale at $20 apiece.
Other Experiences
Additional anniversary weekend events and activities include exclusive exhibits and presentations in the Wexford County Museum, alumni reunions, a KISS golf outing, KISS Glow Skate at The Wex Ice Arena, and KISS Bingo at MI Mezcal.
You’ll find additional anniversary-related events and information at kisscadillac.com, with more experiences added as confirmed.
*Pophouse Entertainment, together with its direct and indirect affiliates, is the exclusive owner of the KISS brand and associated intellectual property, including but not limited to the KISS logo. Any reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of these assets without prior written authorization is strictly prohibited. The Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau and Cadillac Area Festivals & Events have obtained the necessary rights and permissions for the use of KISS-related content displayed. All other rights are expressly reserved.
While Piper is a lifelong Michigander, she’s had adventures worldwide. Bomb-sniffing dogs chased her in the middle of the night in Bogota (working late), gate agents refused her boarding to Paraguay (wrong visa), and US Marshals announced her seat number on a plane while looking for a murder suspect (she’d traded seats). It’s always an adventure! She even finds exciting activities in her home state of Michigan, where she lives in Lansing with her husband, Ross Dingman, her daughter, Alexis, and two granddaughters.
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