Moondance
Jam VI
'The campin' and jammin' event of the summer'
Pilot-Independent, '97 Leech Lake Area Guide
By Paul Nye
The ranch will rock on July 10-12 as Moondance VI cranks up the volume
with an impressive line up of national classic rock acts.
In its sixth year, Moondance Jam has nearly doubled in its attendance
each year, not to mention improving the quality of the overall production
of the event. More than 30,000 are expected to fill the 40- acre concert
grounds on the old ranch site seven miles east of Walker to hear the
original Grand Funk Railroad, the Marshall Tucker Band, America, REO
Speedwagon, The Turtles, The Rascals, young blues artist Jonny Lang and
the Classic Rock All-Stars. A roster of some of the region’s top
local bands, such as Ripchord, Damndest Thing, the Retractions, Anomaly
and the Rock-a-Billy Revue, will also perform over the three-day event.
A newly expanded 160-acre campground will enable concertgoers to camp
on the site for all three days of the festival. The campgrounds offer
primitive campsites with running water, portable showers and restrooms.
While festivalgoers are not allowed to bring beverages, coolers and
food into the concert fairground area, concessions of a wide variety
will be available for sale on site. Jam-goers can pull up a bale of hay
and munch on some of the best rock-n-roll food north of the county line,
along with their favorite beverage, and settle back and listen to some
of best classic rock bands crank out the hits that made them famous.
The "get-up-and-boogie-your-boots-off" option is also acceptable
for the more outgoing type.
Commemorative Moondance Jam tee shirts, which have become something
of a local collector’s item, will be available.
This year, the jam has added two huge video walls on either side of
its million-dollar sound stage. The video walls will enable jammers to
watch their favorite artists close up as they rip out a guitar lick and
belt out a popular tune. Who knows, with four roaming cameras, a few
lucky jammers might even see their faces up on one of the 12-by-16 foot
video walls.
Festivalgoers can park in either of two 40-acre parking lots free of
charge. The parking area, campgrounds and concert grounds are patrolled
by 24-hour security, courtesy of the Hubbard County Posse.
Although the festival has been expanded to three days, promoters have
kept the price of the event at a rock-n-roll bargain. A three-day advanced
pass is available for $40. After July 1, the three-day pass will cost
$50. Daily passes will be available at the gate for $30 for those who
wish to attend only certain days of the Jam. VIP tickets offering special
amenities will also be available. The huge 100-by-60 big top tent, with
areas open to all jammers, will return to Moondance Jam VI to continue
the carnival- like atmosphere of this popular music event in northern
Minnesota.
For more information on Moondance Jam VI, the jammin’ and campin’ event
of the summer, contact Moondance Ranch at 218-547-1055 or the Leech Lake
Area Chamber of Commerce at 547-1313 or toll free at 1-800-833-1118.
MOONDANCE NEWS
|
