Get ready for an unforgettable experience as the Kick’n Up Kountry festival returns to Karlstad next week. The festival runs from Wednesday, June 11 to Saturday, June 14, at the Wagon Wheel Ridge just west of Karlstad off Highway 11.
This year’s festival promises four epic days filled with music, racing, and adventure, featuring major industry stars.
The festivities kick off on Wednesday, June 11, with performances by the Ron Keel Band, 100 Proof, Pibon, and the legendary Ace Frehley.
The excitement continues on Thursday, June 12, with Tyler Hubbard, The Faster Horses, Mike Morse, and Chris Hawkey taking the stage.
Friday, June 13, brings even more star power with Little Big Town, Michael Ray, Ron Moshier, Jake Nelson.
The festival concludes on Saturday, June 14, and the thrilling Ultimate Baja Racing event. Taking the stage Saturday includes performances by Chayce Beckham, Martin and Kelly, and the Eli Young Band.
Other attractions open at Wagon Wheel Ridge during the festival:
• Casino
• Adventure World
• Ferris Wheel
• Bingo
Multiple food vendors will be on site throughout the festival. Multiple bars will also be open on the site.
Tickets and camping passes can be purchased at www.kicknupkountry.com.
About the Headliners: Little Big Town is an American country music vocal group from Homewood, Alabama. Founded in 1998, the group has had the same four members since its founding: Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman (née Roads), Phillip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook. Fairchild and Westbrook have been married to each other since 2006. Little Big Town’s musical style relies heavily on four-part vocal harmonies, with all four members alternating as lead vocalists.
The Band’s No. 1 singles include “Pontoon”, and “Better Man” along with the top 10 hits “Boondocks”, “Bring It On Home”, “Little White Church”, “Tornado”, “Day Drinking”, and “Girl Crush”.
Eli Young Band is an American country music band composed of members who met while students at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas: Mike Eli (lead vocals, guitar), James Young (guitar), Jon Jones (bass guitar), and Chris Thompson (drums). They released their self-titled debut album in 2002, followed by the Carnival Records release Level in 2005. Their third album, Jet Black & Jealous, was released in 2008 by Universal South Records. A second major-label album, Life at Best, was released in 2011 by Republic Nashville, with 10,000 Towns following in early 2014. The band has charted eight times on the Billboard country charts, with four of their singles having reached No. 1: “Crazy Girl”, which was the top country song of 2011 according to Billboard Year-End, along with “Even If It Breaks Your Heart”, “Drunk Last Night”, and “Love Ain’t”.
Tyler Reed Hubbard (born January 31, 1987) is an American singer-songwriter, and musician, best known as a member of the Nashville-based duo Florida Georgia Line.[1]After that duo went on hiatus in 2021, Hubbard began recording as a solo artist on EMI Nashville. His first solo chart entry was a guest vocalist on Tim McGraw’s “Undivided”, followed by his first solo single “5 Foot 9”, which topped the Billboard Country Airplay charts in 2022. He released his self-titled debut album in 2023.
Paul Daniel “Ace” Frehley (born April 27, 1951)[2] is an American musician who was the original lead guitarist, occasional lead vocalist, and founding member of the rock band Kiss. He invented the persona of The Spaceman (a.k.a. Space Ace) and played with the group from its inception in 1973 until his departure in 1982. After leaving Kiss, Frehley formed his own band, Frehley’s Comet, and released two albums with the group. He subsequently embarked on a solo career, which was put on hold when he rejoined Kiss in 1996 for a highly successful reunion tour.
Frehley’s second tenure with Kiss lasted until 2002, when he left at the conclusion of what was originally purported to be the band’s farewell tour. His most recent solo album, 10,000 Volts, was released on February 23, 2024. Guitar World magazine ranked him as the 14th Greatest Metal Guitarist of All Time.
City of East Grand Forks discusses camping and park ordinance changes
Brenda Halverson
Campers and users of city parks could be looking at ordinance changes following discussion at the May 27 work session of the East Grand Forks city council.
Police Chief Michael Hedlund presented a draft ordinance addressing unauthorized camping in public and private areas of the city that are not designated as a camping area. He noted that some of the actions that disturb the public can include, but are not limited to, excessive noise, littering and disorderly conduct.
“We don’t have a huge issue here,” Hedlund said, “but there certainly is a problem with people occasionally camping in some areas where you’re not supposed to be.”
“Basically any public area that’s not designated as a camping area would not be allowed,” he continued.
The penalty would be a fine of up to $1,000 and/or 90 days in jail, which Ron Galstad, city attorney, said is standard for a misdemeanor.
Hedlund said he thought they would use the ordinance as more of a warning and for informational purposes, but it would give the department a tool to use if they felt it was necessary.
Jeremy King, parks and recreation superintendent, also presented a draft ordinance governing conduct in public parks. He said parks and recreation staff and the police department have had to deal with instances such as off-roading, vandalism like graffiti and damage to property and equipment or loitering late into the night.
King suggested park hours being open for use from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. unless there were special events or circumstances that were approved. The hours match those set for the Greenway Trail System.
The ordinance would also make operating a motor vehicle illegal unless operating on a designated park road or parking lot.
The penalties would be similar to the camping ordinance and would be at the discretion of the prosecutor.
The final Mass at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Williams will take place Sunday, June 8, with Bishop Andrew Cozzen presiding.
Parishioners were told recently that the closure is necessary due to low attendance and deficiencies found in the building after a recent routine insurance inspection, according to Diocese of Crookston officials.
“Attendance has fallen to an average of 6-8 parishioners per week. Also, back in 2023, the parish community asked the Bishop to close for worship for six months out of the year, as no parishioners are in the area during the winter months,” The statement from the Diocese said.
“Parish trustees shared with Bishop Cozzens that the average age of the few parishioners remaining is 75 or older, and it has become increasingly difficult to fill ministries needed to have active participation in Mass. The trustees also feel that even if funds could be raised to address the structural concerns of the building, it would be poor stewardship, considering the demographics involved,” the statement continued.
