By Amanda K. Sindelar
Wakefield Staff
Going into its fourth year, The WakeFIELD Party Country Music Festival has announced some big changes for this year’s event set for Saturday, June 1.
“This year’s party will be taking place on the bricks of Main Street. We will still have all the things you love about the party – great music, good food, and cold drinks – just in a different location. And we are featuring all Nebraska artists, with one small exception,” said Megan Weaver, economic development director with Wakefield Progressive. “This year’s event will provide country music fans the opportunity to experience not one, not two, not three but four talented country music artists from Nebraska and Iowa,”
The lineup includes 2023 Iowa Music Awards Country Artist of the Year Monica Austin, returning artists Alexis y Sus Caballeros, a Latin band that provides a variety of traditional and modern Mexican music in English/Spanish, and Tegan Nissen who plays a combination of original songs and covers of country classics, as well as Rustic Rebels Band, a group of friends who share a passion for country music.
“This year we are partnering with Little Red Hen Theatre to help raise funds for programming and arts education. Over the past few years, we have been working to find the right location for the event. This year it will be held by the theatre. This will hopefully provide a little more economic benefits for our local business by driving visitors to Main Street,” she said.
The event is for all ages, however children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Along with the great music, concert goers can expect cold drinks and a variety of food and merchandising vendors. Tickets can be purchased online at www.thewakefieldparty.com.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chair, keg chair, blanket, or other items to sit on while enjoying the event.
“Wakefield Progressive continues to collaborate with the Little Ren Hen Theatre to bring the arts and economic development to benefit the community through items like the Wakefield Markets and downtown events,” Weaver added.
The Little Red Hen Theatre’s mission is to provide quality art experiences for Northeast Nebraska through participation in live theatrical productions, educational opportunities, and other cultural and community offerings.
Upcoming events include Murder in Margaritaville, a Murder Mystery Dinner on Feb. 16; and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, a play production, on April 12, 13 & 14. Their calendar of events can be found on their website at www.littleredhentheatre.com.
The Nebraska Arts Council, a state agency, has supported this arts event throughout its matching grants program funded by the Nebraska Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. Visit www.artscouncil.nebraska.gov for information on how the Nebraska Arts Council can assist your organization.