WE Fest at Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
Top Country Western Stars Featured at Midwest U. S. Festival
In the Beginning
Almost three decades ago, when Jeff Krueger came into town with dreams of creating a country western Woodstock, the city’s residents were skeptical to say the least. Now, in its 26th year, Krueger’s WE Fest is the largest country music festival and campout in the Midwest.
Most every big name in country music has appeared on the WE Fest stage. Stars of the inaugural year –1983 -- included Merle Haggard, The Sons of the Pioneers and Tammy Wynette. Johnny and June Carter Cash appeared in 1984 and Roy Orbison, three years later. Several country stars -- Reba McEntire, Keith Urban and George Strait -- are among the repeat performers.
The Concert Setting
The concert bowl looks like a scene straight out of a Western movie with lawn chairs. It’s ringed by dozens of Old West-style buildings that house vendors of everything from temporary tattoos, snazzy country clothes and lots of WE Fest logo items to Chinese food and beer. The stage is huge, with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, surrounded by a grassy field on which general admission ticket holders stake their spots with lawn chairs (reserved chairs are in place near the front).
2008 Show Bill
On the first night of the August 7-9 2008 WE Fest, Taylor Swift makes his festival debut. He will perform toward the end of the evening, along with Jason Aldean and Rascal Flatts, after the up ‘n comers – mostly area bands -- have had their turns on the stage. Friday’s headliners include Kenny Chesney, LeAnn Rimes and Little Big Town. Saturday night they’re Wynonna, Brad Paisley, Deirks Bentley and Billy Ray Cyrus
Up-and-Comers
Each day’s entertainment begins hours before the big name performers come on stage. Most of the performers in the earlier hours are local groups from Minnesota and surrounding states as well as country newcomers on their way up. Among the newcomers in 2008 are the first, second and third place winners in the WE Fest Karaoke Roundup.Billed as “the Midwest’s largest karaoke contest,” the competition has grown from ten Detroit Lakes area bars in 2000 to 80 contest venues in six states during 2008.
Campgrounds
The music, however, is only part of the experience, for WE Fest camping life is legendary. On a hillsides and beside lakes surrounding the festival’s venue (four miles south of Detroit Lakes on county road 22) are fields which become campgrounds during WE Fest week. Each one has a name and personality. Lake Sallie and Northwoods are designated as family campgrounds, which means no loud all-night parties after the shows. Through the years, the others – Blue Ox, Oatfields, Viking and about half a dozen more – have assumed characteristics of their own, usually defined by age group and party endurance levels.
Other Accommodations and Ticket Information
Not all concertgoers stay at the campgrounds. Within an hour’s drive of the concert grounds, the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area, many good-size lake resorts as well as a dozen Detroit Lakes inns and provide lodging, too. Shuttles run continuously throughout the festival from the outlying WE Fest campgrounds and city of Detroit Lakes to the concert gates.
Three-day ticket prices range from $140 (general admission, bring your own lawn chair) to $300 (front and center in VIP area, seating provided). Camping costs from $60 per person plus $60 to $120 per vehicle to $100 per person in VIP parking plus vehicle charge. Day parking is $15 for three days. All people staying in the campgrounds must also have WE Fest concert passes.
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