What to know about 3-day mega music fest
Excitement is building for Country Concert ‘18.
If you’ve never experienced this music festival or if it’s been awhile since you’ve attended, here are a few things to know:
Some of the top acts in country music will share the stage for three days — July 5-7 — at Hickory Hill Lakes in Fort Loramie.
This year’s lineup includes 28 artists, with some major names headlining the event, including Eric Church on Saturday, Brad Paisley on Friday and Toby Keith on Thursday.
For many concert-goers, it’s a three-day camping (and drinking) extravaganza. Others dip in and out based on who’s on stage. You can have a little fun or a lot of fun depending on what works for you and your wallet.
The concert is presented by K99.1FM. K99.1 FM. is a Cox Media Group Ohio company.
ABOUT THE CONCERT
Country Concert started out as a 500-acre campground built on a farm in 1971. The concert was founded by the late Mike Barhorst, who died in 2017, and his wife, Mary Jo.
The festival is currently run by their sons Paul, Tony, Brian, Mark and Scott.
The family began hosting local musicians for the annual showcase years later. By 1981, with crowds growing, the Barhorsts asked LouiseM andrell to perform the show. Based on the success of that concert, the family expanded the event to three days, while constantly mak- ing improvements to the facilities. The campground now boasts a 108-foot wide permanent main stage with two additional, smaller, per- manent stages, as well as six giant video screens.
The Cou ntry Concert is seenasastopontheroadto stardom or a fun, welcoming place to return frequently for many of today’s top country acts. Some of the biggest names in country have per- formed there: Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Kenny Rogers and Garth Brooks — and current stars including Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Florida Georgia Line and more.
It’s believed to be the larg- est family owned and oper- ated country music festival in the United States.
It has been nominated for an Academy of Country Music Industry Award for “Festival of the Year.”
THE SCHEDULE
Here’s the complete lineup:
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4 Wednesday preview event “Camper Party” 6p.m.—JoshMelton 8 p.m. — Green 10 p.m. — Carly Pearce
THURSDAY, JULY 5 Main stage:
4 p.m. — Midland
6 p.m. — Jo Dee Messina 8 p.m. — Billy Currington 10 p.m. — Toby Keith
stage:
3 p.m. — Adam Doleac 5 p.m. — Russell Dickerson 7 p.m. — Lanco
p.m. — Josh Phillips
FRIDAY, JULY 6
Main stage:
4 p.m. — Montgomery Gentry 6 p.m. — Brett Young 8p.m.— Swindell
10 p.m. — Brad Paisley Saloons
10 a.m. —Karaoke contest 5 p.m. — Jon Langston
7 p.m. — Danielle Bradbery
p.m. — Dillon Carmichael
SATURDAY, JULY 7 Main stage: 2 p.m. — Lauren Alaina 4 p.m. — Kane Brown 6p.m.—LukeCombs 8 p.m. — Brothers Osborne 10 p.m. — Eric Church
stage:
1 p.m. — Elizabeth Cook 3p.m. — Kendell Marvel 5 p.m. — Nikki Lane
7p .m. — Ashley McBryde
:15p.m.—Alex
TICKET INFO
General admission:
3 DAY (THU, FRI, SAT) — $249 ($83 per day)
2 DAY (FRI,SAT) — $220 THURSDAY — $109 FRIDAY — $115 SATURDAY — $129 General admission with Gold Circle Access: