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
Country Splash: 3
2010 (WITH NUMBER OF NO. 1 COUNTRY SONGS)
Winstock: Dierks Bentley (7) on Friday, Alan Jackson (26) on Saturday.