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Country Concert aims to give fans ‘money’s worth’

Ticket prices didn’t increase this year for an event that draws top acts.

Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush perform on stage in an April 2008 concert at the Nutter Center. The duo return to the area to headline the Country Concert at Hickory Hills Lakes, which starts today, July 9, and continues through Sunday.

Staff photo by Jim Witmer Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush perform on stage in an April 2008 concert at the Nutter Center. The duo return to the area to headline the Country Concert at Hickory Hills Lakes, which starts today, July 9, and continues through Sunday.

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By Kim Margolis, Staff Writer Updated 1:54 AM Thursday, July 9, 2009

FORT LORAMIE — It started as a wedding anniversary party and has turned into one of the biggest country concerts in the nation, last year drawing 77,000 fans.

Country Concert at Hickory Hills Lakes starts today, July 9, and continues through Sunday.

By the time it is done, superstars Brad Paisley, Sugarland and Montgomery Gentry will have performed.

More than 30 years ago, Mike and Mary Jo Barhorst started the concert with some homemade wine and local talent. It grew a few years later to include Louise Mandrell and 6,000 fans.

As a result of the recession, the Barhorsts don’t expect to break their record of 77,000 fans who came last year, but ticket prices did not increase this year, and some packages are a bit lower than in 2008.

Depending on the day and how many days a person attends, tickets range from $89 to $599. Fans can go home after concerts or choose to camp at the site.

“Right from the start we’ve been trying to give them their money’s worth,” Mike Barhorst said.

The performers give their all too with autograph sessions, and some even stick around to watch other performers. Also, many have filmed music videos at the concert in the past.

Fans attending this year will have a say on who headlines next year. It was last year’s concert-goers who picked Paisley as the headliner this year.

WHKO-FM (K99.1) personality Nancy Wilson has been to the concert for the past 20 years.

“It’s so intimate,” she said. “Even with 40,000 or 50,000 people.”

Over the years she’s seen great performances by Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Brooks and Dunn, Randy Travis, and Kenny Chesney, but her favorite moments were the small ones.

“I met LeAnn Rimes backstage (when she was starting) and Faith Hill back before she ever met Tim McGraw,” she said. “We sat backstage watching Brooks and Dunn.”

How to go

Tickets range from a single-day general admission Sunday ticket of $89 to four-day stage front passes with perks such as photos with some of the stars and VIP restrooms for $599.

RV rental is available, with delivery, setup and breakdown included. Depending on arrival and departure, the price is between $1,100 and $1,400.

For more information, go to www.countryconcert.com or call (937) 295-3000.

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