Moondance
Fairgrounds to start new era this weekend
by George Fairbanks, Staff writer
The Pilot-Independent
Last Updated: Sunday, May 23rd, 2004 11:01:41 AM
The Moondance Jam fairgrounds, long known for hosting one of Minnesota's
premier summer musical festivals, is quickly becoming one of the Leech
Lake area's most unique destination facilities.
The fairgrounds will debut its new and improved MDJ Saloon this weekend.
Music acts Mountain Ash and Mitch Ryder will rock the grounds Saturday
night. This weekend's concerts are free and completely open to the public.
Bill Bieloh, who owns and operates the fairgrounds with his wife Kathy,
noted that one of the highlights at the new saloon is its kitchen.
"We'll have fresh ground beef, half-pound burgers," Bieloh said.
The saloon will also feature other food items. "Pretty much just like
a snack bar," he said.
The kitchen will be open during events held at the fairgrounds during
the year.
The saloon wasn't the only major construction completed at the fairgrounds
recently. The Bielohs had a 55-by-110 foot building, with interior tongue
and groove paneling, built. They also had a 32-by-40 foot permanent stage
constructed.
The stage is elevated by 36 inches and should provide music fans with
plenty of space to move in time to the music.
"We figure we can fit 2,000 people for any of the concerts, with
a large dance floor in front."
Throughout the summer, the fairgrounds will host musical acts like Head
East, Southern Rock All-Stars, the Classic Rock All-Stars and Thunderstruck,
a five-piece all-girl band out of California that is the ACDC cover band," Bieloh
noted.
The saloon will also be open for weddings and big group events.
"We don't want it to be open all the time, just for special events," Bieloh
said. "It's available if people want to rent it for the day."
Construction on the new facilities began in early February but ran into
several delays.
"We're going to have it wrapped up by May 21," Bieloh said
with a laugh.
The biggest hiccup during the construction was heavy rain that caused
rafters to fall in. "Mother Nature wasn't good to us," Bieloh
noted.
In addition to the music, the fairgrounds will be hosting seven softball
tournaments through the summer. The grounds have four modern softball
fields complete with permanent bathrooms and showers, a stocked concession
stand and electronic score board.
This Saturday the fairgrounds will host a 12-team local tournament.
But the summer months hold a busy schedule of tournaments.
Included in this summer's tournaments is the 35-year-old and over Class
C and Class D men's state tournament.
"It's the first time it's been held outside of the Twin Cities," Bieloh
said.
The tournament will be held over three days and will require all four
of the fairgrounds fields at least on the first day.
"Possibly Hackensack and Longville will let us use their fields
the first day," Bieloh added.
The Class C and D state tournament is likely to provide a significant
cash register boost for numerous area businesses.
"We're expecting 3,000 people with that one," Bieloh said.
This spring the Walker-Hackensack-Akeley softball program has been using
the fields at no cost to the school district, and two tournament's for
next spring's season are already a possibility.
The grounds also feature a newly-remodeled Moondance Jam guest house,
which will officially be called the Aultman Farm, in honor of the family
that originally built and lived in the home.
"We've completely remodeled the five bedroom farmhouse," Bieloh
said. "Nancy Negaard did all the design and put it back into the
1930s look."
In addition the home also features three bathrooms and hookups for campers
outside the house.
Staffers from Jack Daniels, one of Moondance Jam's sponsors, already
have the house booked for this year's Jam. But Bieloh noted the house
also is for rent at any time.
"You'll have use of the whole 300 acres," he said. "Horseback
riding, four-wheeling, snowmobiling in the winter. They can use the softball
fields and the volleyball court."
Said Bieloh: "We want to show people that Walker 'rocks' more than
one time a year."
MOONDANCE NEWS
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