Sometimes an event takes on a life of its own, like the rock festival in upstate New York held in the summer of 1969, which came to be known by a single word–Woodstock, the name of the nearby village where it was held.
Well, maybe we’re seeing a local version of that famous concert right here in the Driftless. Local bar owner Jill Riggs is putting on a two-day music festival. The Mount Zion Pub First Annual Music Fest is scheduled for this weekend, Saturday, June 28 & Sunday, June 29.
The music festival is being hosted by Countryfied, one of the 15 bands scheduled to play for the two-day event. The outdoor event is planned to start at 1 p.m. both days. The last performance on Saturday at 7 p.m. is Backtracking with Steve O with a country music performance.
The last act on Sunday starting at 8 p.m. is Electric Gravy, a band featuring Randy Swiggum and his friends. The whole festival is centered around old rock & roll and country music.
In addition to the country music of Countryfied, featuring Doug Wayne, the Saturday schedule includes Mineral Point’s Driftless Ramblers, who have played in Nashville recently. Eighteen-year-old singer Dakota Bedward will catch everyone’s attention with his performance.
Later in the day, country musician Donnie Reyzek and rock and roller Neil Knutson will take the stage. Then, it’s time for Winter Blue, featuring local singer Arleena Roe and her friends. The last performance is Steve O.
The Sunday schedule starts with Marty Cina, an accomplished musician who describes his music as Americana with lots of tunes you’ll recognize.
Next up is Annie & the Crush, featuring Annie Christopherson, a musician that has been entertaining local crowds for several years.
Then, it’s Rusty, Dusty & Friends, a band formed to play this event, featuring Brian Fontaine. They’re followed the Guthrie’s, the well-known duo of Scott and Erika, who play lots of gigs in the area.
Playing rock & roll, Bryce Bird will entertain the crowd, followed by Mike Macabee, a singing comedian from Iowa.
At 7 p.m. DJ DRT takes the stage, featuring three WDRT Disc jockeys, who may be streaming the performance to the community radio station in Viroqua. The final band Sunday is Electric Gravy.
The price for this event is $15 per day. Jill Riggs wanted to make the music festival a free event, but couldn’t come up with enough sponsors. Hey, $15 per day is a reasonable price for the number and quality of the performances.
So bring lawn chairs and expect a good time. Food will be available. Capelle’s Cuisine, a food truck, will be serving food both days and the Mount Zion Pub will put on a Chicken Q on Saturday.
The outdoor event will go on rain or shine, as the Mount Zion Pub has a large tent to use if rain shows up on either day. The outdoor stage on a trailer is often used by the Pub for outdoor performances known as Dancing in the Street.
Look, if you missed Woodstock, don’t miss the Mount Zion Pub First Annual Music Fest this weekend.
See you there.
Oh yeah, Mount Zion Pub is located at 43499 County Road W Boscobel, WI 53805. You can find them on the internet at mtzionpub1@yahoo.com
