July 11, 2016 at 7:51 a.m.
'Rainlander' redux: Hodag Fest fans keep the party going despite wet weather
'Rainlander' redux: Hodag Fest fans keep the party going despite wet weather
By Kayla Thomason-
"A light rain doesn't seem to affect them," said Dixie Nieuwenhuis, festival coordinator. "If it is a hard rain, than they tend to stay in their campers or head into town. If the music is playing, these are diehard country music fans (who) will sit out in a cold rain to see their favorite entertainer!"
Lorene Huiras is a Fest veteran, having attended the event for 15 years. She came prepared for any type of weather.
"We have rain gear that we always bring with us and if it gets too bad we head for the camper," she said. "I'm hoping it passes," she added.
Huiras is looking forward to all of the performers and is a huge fan of the Fest.
"We just love coming here," she said. "We've been to another (music festival) closer to our house, this is two hours away from where we live, (but) we would much rather come here than any place else."
Dean Zempel has attended nearly every Hodag since the festival began in 1977. This is his 38th year. He said he has a backup plan if the wet weather pattern persists through the weekend.
"Stay underneath my awning," he said, noting that he can hear the main stage entertainment very well from his temporary abode.
Rain is not an uncommon sight on Fest weekend. In fact, some Fest fans refer to Rhinelander as "Rainlander."
In his many years at the Fest, Zempel said he has seen much worse than the relatively light showers Thursday.
"I've been here when it tipped campers over," he said. "We've been through some storms. I lost an awning already."
Zempel said he was most looking forward to hearing Neal McCoy.
Kyle Coenen had a popular strategy for dealing with the rain.
"Stick it out in the tent and party," he said of his plans should the precipitation get heavier.
He said he is looking forward to Montgomery Gentry and Jake Owen, and loves everything about Hodag Country Fest.
"All the fun and the people, everything is so nice up here," he said.
Festgoers weren't the only ones withstanding the rain. There are 60 to 70 vendors selling their goods to the sea of people.
Steve Burnham of All Things Jerky is feeding hungry Hodagers for the third year.
"We like to do festivals because we have retail stores in the area," he said, adding that he likes to be able to show potential customers what his stores have to offer, including spicy popcorn, exotic jerky and candy with bugs inside it.
"Little boys seem to like (the candy with bugs) a lot," he said, laughing. "The girls aren't so crazy about them."
Vickie and Dennis Bragg run the Donut Diner stand.
Vickie Bragg said Thursday was relatively quiet but the wet weather was good for selling warm drinks.
"It's a good day for a hot mini donut and a cappuccino and such," she said.
She enjoys being a part of the Hodag, listening to the acts and meeting new people.
"I'm looking forward to all the acts coming and all the performers because it's fun to see," she said.
Nieuwenhuis loves hearing about the friendships that are formed at the Fest.
"(My favorite part of the Fest is) hearing all the wonderful stories of the new friends people make and keep in touch with them year after year," she said. "Also, when people tell me this is their vacation, and they had a great time, that is really neat."
Nieuwenhuis is particularly excited for next year, as the Hodag Country Fest will celebrate four decades of fun and music.
"We are really looking forward to next year which we will be celebrating our 40th anniversary of the Hodag Country Festival," she said. "We are working on some fun and exciting ideas!"
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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