July 10, 2015 at 4:05 p.m.
Country's back in town
Fest fans kick off Hodag 2015
Country's back in town
By Kayla Thomason-
The 38th annual Hodag Country Festival kicked off Wednesday with the chair line and hit high gear Thursday with performances from Marty's Party, Dan + Shay and country legend Ronnie Milsap.
Fans gathered at six different locations - three on the east and west sides of the field - as they waited for the OK to place their chair in the seating area.
The chair line is a fixture at the festival, but this year the rules were a little different.
Once their color was called fans weren't allowed to head to their places until security escorted them.
Running was not tolerated and security personnel watched carefully for violators. Those who started on the east side could not cross to the west side and vice versa.
People could carry no more than two chairs. To make seating easier, white lines were painted on the grass. The back legs of the chairs were placed on the lines.
"I like the fact that they have the lines down," said Michelle Birkholz, who has attended Country Fest for 23 years. "They haven't had that before. They might have to tweak it a little bit but I think it has a lot of potential."
She said she is looking forward to seeing Phil Vassar and was disappointed Wynonna won't attend.
According to the festival's website, the fiery singer is still recovering from shoulder surgery and cannot attend. Country legend Tanya Tucker has been tapped to replace her.
Birkholz was not the only one who liked the new rules.
Ryan Bricco has attended for five years and is familiar with the chair line.
"It was good," he said. "We were picked first so we can't complain about that. (The lines are) good, it keeps everything straight. It was also kind of a mad rush last year so it helps a lot."
He said he is looking forward to seeing Justin Moore and Saturday's headliner The Band Perry. His favorite performer over the years has been Eric Church.
Dan Zellner has been coming to the Hodag for 30 years. A veteran of the event, he said the changes to the chair line procedures made for a smooth beginning to the event.
"I really, really appreciate the lines," he said. "The lines on the ground are a huge improvement."
Unable to pick just one, he said he is looking forward to all the performances
"It's great to be here, it's absolutely fabulous to be here, we need this vacation," Zellner said, adding that he thinks the organizers do an excellent job running the event.
First-timer Dennis James was anticipating a good weekend, as long as Mother Nature doesn't interfere.
"I just hope the weather holds out and everybody has a good time," he said.
Travis Judell is new to Hodag Country Fest, but not other concerts, and said this is one of the best.
"I've been to Country Fest and Country Jam and they've got VIP backed up like 25-35 feet and it's pretty cool that (at Hodag Country Fest) anyone can just come and wait in line and put their chair right up front," Judell said, adding that he is looking forward to watching Maddie & Tae.
"I'm looking forward to a great fun-filled weekend," he said.
Nancy Streith, who has been coming to the Hodag since 1973, had a few suggestions for organizers.
"What I think they should do is, first-come first-serve," she said. "They've got the rows marked off, when you come in the gate if you want to put your chairs out let them out. Because these lines, they'll start forming so early and then at 5 o'clock they all stand up and bunch together and then at six (o'clock) they open."
Streith has always liked Neal McCoy and Ronnie Milsap and is thrilled they are performing again this year.
Some of her Hodag Fest performers over the years include Loretta Lynn, Kenny Rogers, Glen Campbell and Reba McEntire.
Others who were waiting in the chair just enjoyed themselves and the company of family and new acquaintances.
"Any time you get this many people together all in one group at one time you're going to have a little friction, but most everybody is happy and glad to be here and having a wonderful time," said Barb Bergner, a Fest veteran of some 37 years.
For her, the Hodag brings happy memories of time spent with family.
"My uncle brought me here and he's gone now and I think about him every year," she said.
She has continued to go to the Hodag with family and over the past 20 years her son, John Heidemann, has also attended.
"It's always a great time, a great party," he said.
Some of Bergner's favorite past performers include Neal McCoy, Sawyer Brown and Don Williams. Her son listed Saywer Brown and Alabama as his favorites.
Heidemann is equally excited to see the new country artists take the stage.
"It's a very interesting show as young performers starting out - Maddie & Tae and Dan + Shay (make their debut)," Heidemann said.
"Hodag promotes a lot of the young performers and I really, really like that," Bergner added. "We've seen them when they were starting out: Garth Brooks, Martina (McBride) - yeah it's just fantastic - Reba (McEntire)."
To pass the time fans sip beverages, visit others, play cards, eat snacks or suck down a Jell-o shot or two.
"We just like the camaraderie and we get all together and everybody here is fun, we meet new people in the chair lines, you come back to the campground, you're by the same people every year, just a great time to relax and (get some rest and relaxation)." Bergner said. "We just totally enjoy the whole thing and we hope they keep on and don't change anything too drastically. It's great."
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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