DETROIT LAKES, Minn. - WE Fest counts on people like Dwight Fraedrich, a
45-year-old from Fargo.
Fraedrich and his wife, LeAnn, planned to buy tickets for the 2008 festival while still at Soo Pass Ranch, the site of the country music festival near Detroit Lakes, for the final day of the 2007 version.
On-site sales for next year's festival are crucial for a couple of reasons, co-founder Terry McCloskey said. First off, it's the easiest time to make the pitch.
"The best way to communicate to them is when they're already here," he said. "You might as well roll out your '08 product."
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Plus, it helps the festival cash flow artist payments, which are spread throughout the year.
WE Fest has been pushing on-site sales, offering the lowest price levels and adding six computers to their advance ticket site inside the concert bowl. It seems to be working.
McCloskey said about 20 percent of this year's ticket sales were made at the 2006 festival, and the percentage is on target to increase this year.
Still, it's risky selling a music festival without a lineup of music. So WE Fest has already announced that Kenny Chesney is booked for next year.
"That kind of helped," said Fraedrich, who was buying year-in-advance tickets for the first time.
"Of course, the (Minnesota) Vikings do it all the time," McCloskey said of selling on reputation alone.
One for all
Former Fargo band 32 Below, who left for Nashville three years ago, played the Main Stage on Saturday to a light crowd mostly congregated around the giant video screen at the front of the general admission section.
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The four-piece, which is the house band at Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville but hasn't snagged a record deal yet, gave the broadest dedication I've heard in introducing one of their rare slow songs, "Watch You for Hours."
"We want to send this one out to anybody who's ever lost anybody. Ever," said lead guitarist and vocalist Matt Aakre.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Dave Roepke at (701) 241-5535
