This well-attended festival is held every year during the first week of August at the scenic Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes. Most attendees camp out in the ranch for the duration of the festival, where they participate in everything from karaoke to campground contests. An average of about 50,000 people attend WE Fest each year over a three to four day period. Musical guests of merit who have performed at past WE Fests include Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift, Martina McBride, Brooks and Dunn and Rascal Flatts.
WE Fest
25526 City Highway 22
Detroit Lakes, MN 56502
800-493-3378
wefest.com
This late-June festival began in 2007 and offers three days of camping, contests, culinary provisions and multiple stages of music for up to 16,000 country music fans. Attendees set up camp on the expansive campgrounds just off the Minnesota Highway and have the option to rent parking spaces, trailers, tents and bathroom accommodations. A limited number of fans are also able to purchase "Rock Star Access" passes, which includes access to priority seating, meals and meet-and-greets among other things. Past musical guests include Martina McBride, Miranda Lambert and the Zac Brown Band, to name a few.
Moondance Jammin' Country Fest
6697 Minnesota Highway 371
Walker, MN 56484
877-666-6526
jammincountry.com
The two to three day Winstock Festival held each year in mid-June in Winsted offers a more intimate setting for country music fans and includes more emerging talent in its lineup. To experience the full atmosphere of the Winstock Country Music Festival, many attendees camp right on the grounds adjacent to the concert site. The festival began in 1994 with only about 100 fans, but today attendance is about 15,000. Famous artists who have performed at Winstock Country Music Festival include Brooks & Dunn, LeAnn Rimes and Rascal Flatts.
Winstock Country Music Festival
9 Winsted Avenue West
Winsted, MN 55395
320-485-4287
winstockfestival.com
Hundreds of fans from across the country attend this modest yet major dose of country every year in early September, including live performances, contests, karaoke and more. Attendees camp on-site, where they participate in many activities such as a campsite decorating contest. This fan-oriented festival also includes access to a VIP pass as well as the opportunity for meet-and-greets. Many of performance opportunities are for unestablished or up and coming acts.
Kick'n Up Kountry
249 State Avenue North
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
218-754-2861
kicknupkountry.com