Nearly a decade ago Joel Belcher and Aaron Green were brainstorming on some business ideas, the two would spend hours sitting on the front porch and just talk through plans. They made some calls, scheduled some meetings and put on their first music festival which was called, The Country Fest.
Now in it’s ninth season The Country Fest has grown to become one of the most highly attended festivals in Northeast Ohio with a all-star line up that includes Cole Swindell, Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley as headliners for the three-day celebration this year.
The festival also brings in up-and-coming acts like Jon Langston, The Cadillac Three, Morgan Wallen, Chris Lane, Maddie & Tae and Midland who are all a part of this year’s roster. Then you add acts like Chris Janson, Jon Pardi and reigning ACM & CMA Duo of the Year, Brothers Osborne and you have one stellar line-up.
Bentley, was actually one of the performers at the first festival and has been called the “godfather” of The Country Fest for helping them get their show on the country map.
Those first year’s of the festival were held on stages that used to be the foundation for an old barn with pieces of plywood as a dock. But improvements to the facility, which have included a new cement foundation and steel structure, have made it a world class facility that easily accommodates tours from some of country music’s biggest stars.
Every year The Country Fest seems to just get bigger and yet the price of admission is pretty reasonable considering today’s ticket prices. The event starts off offering tickets at $125 for early birds and incrementally raises prices as they get closer to the the event. The last increase took a three-day commuter ticket to $142.50 and a three-day camping ticket to $235. In comparison, last week’s Kenny Chesney show would have set you back almost $250 for two tickets in the Pavilion.
Some helpful hints for those that have never been to The Country Fest is to remember that it is a general admission event. So, you can get as close to the stage as you want or you can choose to bring a lawn chair and just kick back on the hill. There is actually not a bad view of the stage from wherever you are at the venue.
The Country Fest has another plus with it’s unique location at Clay’s Park Resort in North Lawrence, Ohio, as well. The park offers camping for those who want to make the week a party and also offers admission to their water park for each ticket buyer. The early camping actually starts days before the first artist ever steps onto the stage, which gives folks a chance to make a vacation out of the event.
The Country Fest takes place on June 14-16 at Clay’s Park Resort in North Lawrence, Ohio. Located 15 minutes from Canton, 20 minutes from Akron, and 50 minutes from Cleveland. Parking fees range from $10 a day to $20 a day for Tailgate Alley. For tickets and more information go to their website The Country Fest.
The Country Fest 2018 Schedule
Thursday, June 14
4:00 pm- Jon Langston
6:00pm – The Cadillac Three
8:00pm-Chris Janson
10:00pm- Cole Swindell
Friday, June 15
4:00 pm- Morgan Wallen
6:00pm – Chris Lane
8:00pm- Jon Pardi
10:00pm- Luke Bryan
Saturday, June 16
4:00 pm- Maddie and Tae
6:00pm – Midland
8:00pm-Brothers Osborne
10:00pm- Dierks Bentley
