OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – After several years without a country or rock music festival, Oshkosh is ready to rock once again.
This August, XRoads 41 will entertain fans on the site formerly used for Country USA and Rock USA. But organizers say this will be an entirely new experience.
It’s been nearly five years since Oshkosh’s Festival Park was last home to live music. On Monday, members of the new ownership group — Oshkosh Festivals — ushered in a new era for the site.
“It’s dramatically different than anything you’ve seen before in Oshkosh,” XRoads 41 Manager John Gourley said. “We have modified the site top to bottom. The idea with Cross Roads is really to make this the evolution of music festivals.”
It’s been a long time coming, according to Gourley. The previous owners declared bankruptcy in 2020, bringing an end to a country music festival that called northeast Wisconsin home for 25 years.
“This site — it is remarkable,” Gourley said. “The population base and the interest in live music, especially in a festival scene, it is fully proven in this area.”
It wasn’t until last year that Oshkosh Festivals breathed new life into the grounds. The changes include added grandstands, a revamped entrance and solutions for water drainage.
“Multiple rain events, so we’ve watched it work,” Gourley said. “And I guess most importantly we moved the show into that August time period adjacent to EAA which is the driest period in your long-term weather study.”
Gourley said early ticket sales indicate high interest in the festival. That’s music to the ears of Rob Kleman, the president and CEO of the Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce.
“Economic impact that spills over to other commercial businesses in the area,” Kleman said. “You know, hotels, restaurants, convenience stores, and that trickles down as well.”
He’s looking at what impacts could return this August. Toward the end of it’s run, Country USA brought upwards of 25,000 attendees a day.
“The people, the activity, brings all this life to town,” Kleman said. “It’s really great for the community. Those were great events as well but this is a new time and a new day.”
Organizers say XRoads 41 will happen yearly, and they hope to announce the 2025 talent at this year’s event.
Organizers say it’s a country-leaning festival but does include other genres. For more information on the festival, click here.
Comments