Features
Family Friendly; Non-Alcohol Event
No dogs and no smoking in the concert area.
Dogs are allowed in the campground area while on a leash.
On-Site Camping
Camp at the Rusk County Fairgrounds, and enjoy the convenience of walking to the concerts.
Indoor/Outdoor
The festival is held indoors and can be opened to some outdoor space if the weather is good.
Instrument Workshops
Learn some tips and tricks from some of the performers who will be at the festival.
Dairy Breakfast
Enjoy June Dairy Breakfast on Saturday right at the Fairgrounds!
Rusk County Historical Society
View live demonstrations; visit the buildings and displays.
Theme is: “The Early Years”
Also Enjoy…
Hospitality Booth (with local coupons), Door Prizes, Business Receipt Drawing, Food Vendors
Performers
The WoodPicks
Unique talents of the five members of northern Minnesota’s The WoodPicks have helped them forge a unique blend of instrumental dexterity and vocal presence. Their enjoyable stage show incorporates strong harmonies and musical style that features their own arrangements of original music and old favorites. The group came together in 2005 when the band started playing northern Minnesota venues. Their acoustic mix includes Gospel, Bluegrass, Country and Americana music. One of their original arrangements, “Barn Again!” was included in a collection of rural Americana for the Smithsonian Institute. They perform at county fairs, bluegrass festivals, urban and rural venues and corporate events.
Double Down Daredevils
The Double Down Daredevils came about when Tom Peschges and Nathan Fjeld met at a Minnesota Bluegrass Festival. Both were camped at the Double Down camping area and met jamming around the campfire. They became jam buddies and soon after good friends. At one of the festivals, Tom suggested they put together a band from their camping friends and take a slot at the Festival Open Mic Stage. Some of the regulars were a little stage shy, but with Tim Wankel on bass, they signed up and needing a name, Tom -who has always been overly enamored by the allure of alliteration- dubbed them, the Double Down Daredevils!
The Biscuit Boys
The Biscuit Boys were formed in 2012 over the love of bluegrass music. Dan Fish, sophisticated purveyor of biscuits and gravy, founded the group seeking harmony singers. The band consists of Dan ‘Buttermilk’ Fish, Tim ‘Buckwheat’ Wankel, Nathan ‘Hotrise’ Fjeld and Mike ‘Sourdough’ Steele. The Biscuit Boys blend three part harmony into most of the repertoire. The band has Guitar, Bass, Banjo and Mandolin. This group is often found about campfire jams whenever available and proudly invite all to join. We have all been playing music of various genres for a long time, so each player brings something different to the band. It’s all about the song and the community.
King Wilkie’s Dream
What’s in a name? King Wilkie was Bill Monroe’s horse. King Wilkie’s Dream is a fiddle tune, written by our own John Niemann. The band, King Wilkie’s Dream, has little to do with the subject-matter of the tune, but everything to do with the musical thoughts and emanations of its four members, John Niemann – guitar, fiddle, mandolin, vocals, Shane Zack – mandolin, guitar, vocals, Vaughn Asselstine – bass, vocals, and Robbi Podrug – fiddle, vocals.
Blue Hazard
The five-piece formed in 2000 and is comprised of three siblings and two friends. With a relentless desire to make an emotional connection with their audience, Blue Hazard mixes their love of contemporary mediums with old-soul roots to create an impactful musical experience. Evolving from a novice family band into dedicated and earnest musicians, the group impresses listeners with their crisp harmonies, complex arrangements, and honest & diverse songwriting.
Art Stevenson & High Water
Art Stevenson & High Water is Wisconsin’s best-known bluegrass show, and has been in demand throughout the Midwest festival circuit since 1993. The band’s bluegrass sound comes from the close duet singing of husband and wife team Art and Stephanie Stevenson, along with the spirited banjo and Dobro playing of Dale Reichert, and the hard-driving mandolin picking of Bruce King. Their seventh album, Twilight, has just been released (August 2013). High Water’s music is heard on bluegrass radio programs around the USA and has received critical acclaim in the magazines Bluegrass Unlimited and Bluegrass Now. Recording artist James King and country music historian Bill Malone agree that Art and Stephanie Stevenson rank among the best duet singers active today.
Tickets
Schedule
FRIDAY, JUNE 8
6 p.m. The Biscuit Boys
7 p.m. Double Down Daredevils
8 p.m. Art Stevenson & High Water
9 p.m. Jamming in the log building
SATURDAY, JUNE 9
10 a.m. King Wilkie’s Dream
11 a.m. Art Stevenson & High Water
Noon Mataczynski Tribute with The Biscuit Boys
1 p.m. The WoodPicks
2 p.m. Blue Hazard
3 p.m. Double Down Daredevils
4 p.m. King Wilkie’s Dream
5 p.m. Karaoke & Jamming with King Wilkie’s Band
6 p.m. Art Stevenson & High Water
7 p.m. Blue Hazard
8 p.m. The WoodPicks
9 p.m. Jamming in the log building
INSTRUMENT WORKSHOPS
SATURDAY, JUNE 9 ONLY
11 a.m. Beginner Line Dancing
1 p.m. Flatpicking with Double Down Daredevils
2 p.m. Beginning Clogging
3 p.m. Vocals with The WoodPicks
4 p.m. Banjo with Blue Hazard
Lodging
Motels
AmericInn Lodge & Suites
Ladysmith – 715-532-7811
Ladysmith Motel & Suites
Ladysmith – 715-532-6650
Carnegie Hall B&B
Ladysmith – 715-532-7798
Country View Motel
Weyerhaeuser – 715-353-2780
El Rancho Motel
Ladysmith – 715-532-6666
Evergreen Motel
Ladysmith – 715-532-3168
Hi-Way 8 Motel
Ladysmith – 715-532-3346
Mirr’s Gateway Motel
Bruce – 715-868-2015
Private Campgrounds
Flambeau Adventures LLC
Ladysmith – 715-532-7733
Thornapple River Campground
Ladysmith – 715-532-7034
East River Run Escape Campground
715-403-6429
TJ’s Timberline Resort & Campground
Weyerhaeuser – 715-353-2238
Tracey’s Resort & Campgrounds
Tony – 715-532-3729
West Cove Campground
Ladysmith – 715-532-7812
Rusk County Campgrounds
Josie Creek
Murphy Flowage
Perch & Audie Lake
715-532-2113 or 715-532-2642
