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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 9, 2015
Moondance Jam Contact:
Kathy Bieloh
218-836-1055
Photos:
Moondance Jam Kicks Off Next Wednesday: Huge Crowds Expected for all Three Days of the Rock Festival
The Doobie Brothers, Shinedown, Sammy Hagar, Huey Lewis & the News, Papa Roach and Peter Frampton featured acts
WALKER, MINNESOTA –July 9, 2015 – Minnesota's biggest rock festival is preparing to open their gates next week for their twenty-fourth year. Officially, the festival starts on Thursday, July 16 and runs through Saturday, July 18th and showcases over fifty bands on four stages. The towering sixty foot tall main stageboasts a star studded rock show with The Doobie Brothers, Shinedown, Sammy Hagar & Michael Anthony,Huey Lewis & the News, Papa Roach, Peter Frampton and many other nationalrock and classic rockbands. But for thousands of fans (or Jammers as they are affectionately called at Moondance), the party starts on Wednesday when the campgrounds open at noon.The extra day gives Jammers time to setup camp, catch-up with friends that they may only see on annually at Moondance and an extra night of main stage entertainment capped off with a huge Hairball show. By the time Thursday rolls around, the rest of the campgrounds and concert area fill up to indulge on three days of big time rock 'n' roll fun.
Owner and promoterKathy Bieloh knows the music comes first for bringing in crowd, but is not hesitant to recognize that there is more to it than that, “It's definitely the bands that bring in the masses and we are going to see huge crowds all three days this year because of all of the big names on the main stage. But every year we see more and more Jammers become part of what we call the Moondance family. They are coming in early, getting tickets for the next year without knowing what bands will play and just talking Moondance year-round. We are so lucky to have such wonderful fans and I am so thankful for the incredible staff and service people who work so hard to make Moondance a fan-friendly event.”
One of the bands that was originally scheduled to bring in some of the biggest crowds to Moondance this weekend was Nickelback. But just two weeks ago, front man Chad Kroeger was diagnosed with a cyst on his voice box and Nickelback was forced to cancel the summer dates for their North American tour which included Moondance Jam.
"It was definitely a shock when we foundout about Nickelback just three weeks before the show," said Moondance General Manager, Jon Bieloh. "But what can you do? It was out of their control and ours. We were extremely happy that Sammy [Hagar]and Michael Anthony stepped up to headline. They kept Thursday a big night for us."
Tickets and camping for Moondance Jam 24are still available at a discount if ordered online or by phone by Monday, July 13. After that they will be available at the gate starting Wednesday, July 15. Prices, ticket and camping options and schedules for all of the stages can be found at moondancejam.com.
Camping and Concert Gate Times
Early camping check-in on Wednesday runs from Noon until 9:30 p.m. Even if you didn't originally purchase 4-day camping, you can upgrade at the gate if you want to come a day early. Check-in on Thursday, Friday and Saturday runs from 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Please do not show up before the check-in time – you will not be allowed to wait on the highway.
Concert gates open at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday and at noon on Thursday through Saturday.New this year, the VIP tent will open Wednesday at 5:00 p.m.for early check-in and the Pre Jam Party withfree beer, pop/water and discount cash bar.
Location, Parking & Shuttles
Moondance Jam is held on the Moondance Fairgrounds grounds 6 ½ miles southeast of Walker, MN on HWY 200. There is $15/day parking available at the Moondance Fairgroundsparking lot just off of HWY 200 and $5/day motorcycle parking near the East concert gate (accessible through gate #1). Northern Lights Casino offers paid parking in their lot 2.5 miles west of Moondance. Moondance Jam provides a free shuttle service that runs to and from 2:00 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. Special needs accessible parking is available on the south side of the concert area.
Festival Seating for G.A. and Organized Lawn Chair Seating
Moondance Jam began as classic rock festival with open festival seating for all general admission ticket holders and continues that tradition today over two decades later. All ticket holders at Moondance have equal opportunity to get up to the front of the stage or sit back on the lawn seating area.Concert goers who wish to bring in a lawn chair need to purchase a chair tag. Tags are available at the gate for $25. Lawn chair seating spots are given on a daily first-come-first-served basis. The only way to "reserve" a spot in the lawn chair seating area is get to the concert area early each day.Accessible seating is available in the concert area with gate personnel and security available for on-hand assistance.
Featured at Moondance Jam for 2015
Moondance has four different bars with various specials throughout the Jam. The Lazy Moon Bar & Grill features a full food and bar menu, a breakfast buffet and bloody mary bar in the morning, off sale beer and liquor throughout the festival and acoustic entertainment all day. The MDJ Saloon and outdoor Tiki Bar (just outside the Lazy Moon Bar & Grill) have some of the biggest regional and tribute bands at the Jam. There is a Traveling Art Pub painting party at noon on Friday in the MDJ Saloon. Billy B's bar on the hill is open daily and hasfree beer & wine tasting by Harvest Moon Festival at 1pm on Friday and a beer pong tournament starting at noon on Saturday. The Moondance Jam camping contest prelims are on Thursday afternoon with the finals on Friday afternoonin the campgrounds. Winners of the beer pong tourney and camping contest can even win Backstage Bar passesfor Saturday nightand tickets to next year's 25th Anniversary of Moondance Jam.
Main Stage Schedule
Wednesday, July 15 Pre Jam Party (free for all 3-day ticket holders)
10:30 p.m. - Hairball
9:00 p.m. - The Fabulous Armadillos
7:30 p.m. - Alive: The Definitive Tribute to Pearl Jam
Thursday, July 16
11:00 p.m. - The Red Rocker Sammy Hagar with Special Guest Michael Anthony
9:00 p.m. - Papa Roach
7:00 p.m. - Black Stone Cherry
5:00 p.m. - Pop Evil
3:00 p.m. - Pat Travers
Friday, July 17
11:00 p.m. - The Doobie Brothers
9:00 p.m. - Huey Lewis & the News
7:00 p.m. - Jefferson Starship
5:00 p.m. - Vixen
3:00 p.m. - Honeymoon Suite
Saturday, July 18
11:00 p.m. - Shinedown
9:00 p.m. - Peter Frampton
7:00 p.m. - Finger Eleven
5:00 p.m. - Black Star Riders
3:00 p.m. - ThundHerStruck
*Schedule and lineup are subject to change without notice.
More information can be found online at moondancejam.comor by calling 218-836-1055.
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