Pert’ Near Sandstone

With no shortages of large-scale music festivals in the Chippewa Valley this summer – being that there’s Country Jam, Rock Fest, Country Fest, Eaux Claires, and more all happening right on our doorstep – maybe Blue Ox can kick off what should be an amazing summer of music. The intimate bluegrass festival is set to take place at Whispering Pines Campground – directly adjacent to the Country Jam grounds – with headliners like the legendary Del McCoury, Pert’ Near Sandstone from the Twin Cities, Justin Townes Earle, and Yonder Mountain String Band. This is truly the who’s who of the entire bluegrass genre, all taking place with the backdrop of an impeccable Chippewa Valley summer. This is the first year of the much-anticipated fest, which is expected to attract about 6,000 to 8,000 people. It certainly won’t be as big of an all-out party as Country Jam, but a quieter, more lush atmosphere harmonizes with the music, impeccably plucked by the nation’s best bluegrass musicians. You can easily compare Blue Ox to the Telluride Music Festival in Colorado, a holy land of sorts for bluegrass fanatics, in terms of the caliber of musical acts on the lineup. People travel many, many miles from all over the country to see these acts – and they will. We just have the advantage of living here, and letting them come to us.

Blue Ox Music Festival • June 11-13 • Country Jam grounds, 3633 Crescent Ave., Eau Claire • all ages • blueoxmusicfestival.com