The Upper Midwest has more country-and-camping festivals than George Strait has exes in Texas. The biggies -- We Fest in Detroit Lakes, Minn., and Country Fest in Cadott, Wis. -- are later this summer. But the season kicks off the next two weekends with two modest-sized festivals: the long-established Winstock and the newish Apple River Country Splash.

WHEN

Winstock: This weekend, with mainstage music starting at 3:15 p.m. Friday, noon Saturday

Country Splash: Next weekend, with mainstage music starting at 3 p.m. June 17, 12:30 p.m. June 18 and 1 p.m. June 19.

WHERE

Winstock: Winsted, Minn., next to the municipal airport, about 50 miles west of Minneapolis.

Country Splash: Float-Rite Park in Somerset, Wis., on the Apple River, about 25 miles northeast of St. Paul.

NUMBER OF YEARS

Winstock: 17

Associated Press, Star Tribune
Alan Jackson performs Saturday at Winstock.

Country Splash: 3

2010 (WITH NUMBER OF NO. 1 COUNTRY SONGS)

Winstock: Dierks Bentley (7) on Friday, Alan Jackson (26) on Saturday.

Country Splash: Travis Tritt (5) on June 17, Zac Brown Band (3) on June 18, Gretchen Wilson (1) on June 19.

2010 OLDIE ACTS

Winstock: Ronnie Milsap.

Country Splash: Tanya Tucker, Lorrie Morgan.

'DANCING WITH THE STARS' CONNECTION

Winstock: Sara Evans, who competed in Season 3 (and quit for personal reasons).

Country Splash: Julianne Hough, who was in five seasons, winning Seasons 4 and 5.

BIGGEST ONE-DAY ATTENDANCE IN 2009

Winstock: 14,300 for Brooks & Dunn.

Country Splash: 11,000 for Kenny Chesney.

FACT

Winstock: Has raised $2.5 million for Holy Trinity Catholic School in Winsted over the years.

Country Splash: Advertised that Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban would be headliners this year and had to cancel the ads.

TICKETS

Winstock: General admission $115, reserved $175 to $275; www.winstock festival.com

Country Splash: General admission $29 (daily) to $99 (3-day), reserved $75 (daily) to $475 (3-day); www.countrysplash.com

Jon Bream • 612-673-1719