The last weekend in May for Memorial Day weekend has been reserved in my books for the previous five years for a music festival called Tree Town Music Festival. However, this was the final year for it, as it has merged with the powerhouse that is Country Thunder music festivals and now moved to June 14-20th for 2020.
Five years ago a father and son started the Memorial Day Music Festival to be in the tiny college town of Forest City. The city had been called Tree Town by many of the college kids for years. Even my mom who went there looked at me funny when it took me a minute to put two and two together. It is also the home of Winnebago RV’s which there are a lot of during the event.
In the beginning, it was smart having it on Memorial Day. It is the midwest’s kickoff to warmer temps, and we are very patriotic. They brought in the colors every night and did great things for the group Families of the Fallen. They had great patriotic musical acts like Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Trace Adkins, and Toby Keith.
In the early years, I was not only doing my radio show gig, but I was also a vendor for my western wear. So we were set up in the vendor area from start to finish. So technically it should be warmer temps on Memorial Day, but the first years had three different types of weather; super hot, super windy and dusty, and then absolutely soaked!
This year however was pretty good! The weather cooperated good, the camper neighbors were friendly, and the music lineup was a great mix of classic and new country. 2019’s lineup included: Jesse Allen, Stephanie Quayle, Little Texas, Jimmie Allen, Brandon Lay, Lindsay Ell, Morgan Wallen, High Valley, Tracy Lawrence, Lauren Alaina, Trace Adkins, Toby Keith, Jake Owen & Dierks Bentley.
When they made the announcement that Tree Town Music Festival was merging and becoming Country Thunder Iowa many were shocked. Now, as we get a lil bit out from the event, there are so many positive responses I have heard in the surrounding communities. So no matter what you’re drinking, raise um up and here’s to next year’s Country Thunder at Forest City Iowa!
A lil bit about Country Thunder as a whole: It is a long-standing music festival. It started in Canada with Saskatchewan and Alberta that has made its way thru Wisconsin, Arizona, Florida, and now landed in Iowa. It has been going for over 20 years! Bringing some of the top named country artists in front of their fans and giving a one of a kind camping and music events nationwide. There is still time to go to Wisconsin’s upcoming event in July from the 19th thru 22nd but then also book your tickets for upcoming shows for great hospitality and fun live music by going to countrythunder.com
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