Moondance Jam VI: 'The campin' and jammin' event of the summer'

Pilot-Independent, '97 Leech Lake Area Guide
By Paul Nye

1997

The ranch will rock on July 10-12 as Moondance VI cranks up the volume with an impressive line up of national classic rock acts.

In its sixth year, Moondance Jam has nearly doubled in its attendance each year, not to mention improving the quality of the overall production of the event. More than 30,000 are expected to fill the 40- acre concert grounds on the old ranch site seven miles east of Walker to hear the original Grand Funk Railroad, the Marshall Tucker Band, America, REO Speedwagon, The Turtles, The Rascals, young blues artist Jonny Lang and the Classic Rock All-Stars. A roster of some of the region’s top local bands, such as Ripchord, Damndest Thing, the Retractions, Anomaly and the Rock-a-Billy Revue, will also perform over the three-day event.

A newly expanded 160-acre campground will enable concertgoers to camp on the site for all three days of the festival. The campgrounds offer primitive campsites with running water, portable showers and restrooms.

While festivalgoers are not allowed to bring beverages, coolers and food into the concert fairground area, concessions of a wide variety will be available for sale on site. Jam-goers can pull up a bale of hay and munch on some of the best rock-n-roll food north of the county line, along with their favorite beverage, and settle back and listen to some of best classic rock bands crank out the hits that made them famous. The "get-up-and-boogie-your-boots-off" option is also acceptable for the more outgoing type.

Commemorative Moondance Jam tee shirts, which have become something of a local collector’s item, will be available.

This year, the jam has added two huge video walls on either side of its million-dollar sound stage. The video walls will enable jammers to watch their favorite artists close up as they rip out a guitar lick and belt out a popular tune. Who knows, with four roaming cameras, a few lucky jammers might even see their faces up on one of the 12-by-16 foot video walls.

Festivalgoers can park in either of two 40-acre parking lots free of charge. The parking area, campgrounds and concert grounds are patrolled by 24-hour security, courtesy of the Hubbard County Posse.

Although the festival has been expanded to three days, promoters have kept the price of the event at a rock-n-roll bargain. A three-day advanced pass is available for $40. After July 1, the three-day pass will cost $50. Daily passes will be available at the gate for $30 for those who wish to attend only certain days of the Jam. VIP tickets offering special amenities will also be available. The huge 100-by-60 big top tent, with areas open to all jammers, will return to Moondance Jam VI to continue the carnival- like atmosphere of this popular music event in northern Minnesota.

For more information on Moondance Jam VI, the jammin’ and campin’ event of the summer, contact Moondance Ranch at 218-547-1055 or the Leech Lake Area Chamber of Commerce at 547-1313 or toll free at 1-800-833-1118.