Country Fest invites country fans to "party like a Sconnie"

CADOTT — One of the largest three-day country music and camping events in the nation will soon be upon us.

Started in 1987, Country Fest has invited country music fans from around the area and around the country to enjoy three days of some of the best performers in country music, along with food, camping and more. Past artists include Sugarland, Little Big Town, The Zac Brown Band, Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Alabama, Blake Shelton and more.

The event labels itself as “the country’s largest party in a hayfield,” and this year’s will have five stages, over 40 bands, and 7,500 campsites for fans of country music. The event has grown big enough that it has even been nominated by the Academy of Country Music as “Festival of the Year.”

It seemed like nothing more than a dream back in 1986 when four people, including co-founders of the event Mike Asher and Lyle Goettl, were inspired by the Hodag Festival in Rhinelander to start their own country music festival in Cadott. After initial hesitation, the event started the next year and progressively grew over the years, soon bringing big country acts of the time like Tanya Tucker and George Jones to the area in its initial few years.

This year’s headliners include country superstar Keith Urban, the recipient of multiple awards including four Grammy awards and thirteen Country Music Awards.

Nine of his records have been certified gold, platinum or multi-platinum. His hit songs include “Somewhere in My Car,” “Long Hot Summer” and “You’ll Think of Me.”

Next is Eric Church, known for his gold-certified number one hit “Hell of a View” and recent hits “Heart on Fire” and “Doing Life with Me.” He is a seven-time ACM award winner as well as a four-time CMA award winner. He has also been a 10-time Grammy Award nominee.

Jake Owen is the third and last headliner. He has amassed 10 No. 1 hit singles and over 2.5 billion on-demand music streams. His laid-back style can be heard in hits like “American Country Love Song,” “Alone With You” and “Barefoot Blue Jean Night.” He was also an ACM award winner in 2022.

These three will share the stage with local and national country music acts including Ashley McBryde, Scotty McCreery and Neon Union. There will be a Wednesday night Tailgate Party as well for three-day-ticket holders featuring Sawyer Brown, Slamabama and Six to Midnight. Thursday through Saturday nights will also feature a DJ after-party after midnight.

Camping options include standard electric and non-electric sites, “glamping” (premium tent suites) and, new this year, an RV share allowing people interested to rent an RV or allow others to rent their RV to people attending the event.

Country Fest comes right after the official start of summer, and has become symbol of the season in the Chippewa Valley. Being a mainstay of the area for almost 40 years, many here and around the country have taken the festival’s advertising advice to come “party like a Sconnie” at the festival.