Wild Cat Country Fest, Worship Fest change venues

Instead of hosting the inaugural Wild Cat Country Fest and Worship Fest at the festival grounds of Fore Seasons this summer, organizers on May 5 announced both music festivals will be moved to the Newton town square, citing “inflationary pressures” as the key reason.

Dan Nieland, chair of the Wild Cat Country Fest Foundation, compared the new stage to that organized during RAGBRAI in 2018, when Newton was an overnight destination. Nieland is confident organizers have put together “one heck of a show” with the same great music and experience.

Only this time it’s in a different venue.

“We are excited to be bringing the music fest concept to downtown on the square in Newton,” Nieland said. “While we’re sad that inflationary pressures on everything from bussing to gravel necessitated the move away from Fore Seasons, we’re excited to highlight — literally — the businesses and downtown Newton.”

The Marshall Tucker Band is headlining Wild Cat Country Fest on June 18 alongside Whitey Morgan & The 78′s, The Georgia Thunderbolts, Sara Darling & Nicole Witt of the Six One Five Collective, Diamond Dixie, Michael Moncada & Whiskey High, Tyler Richton & The High Bank Boys, Katie & The Honky-Tonks and Outlaw Country Express.

Worship Fest is also going to be held downtown. The nonprofit organization Fierce Faith Music will hold its concerts 1 to 4 p.m. June 19 in downtown Newton, with performances by Texas pop singer Micah Tyler, California singer-songwriter Sean Feucht and the Central Iowa-based band Friday Night Fire.

Kristi Cummins, president of Fierce Faith Music, confirmed with Newton News on May 6 that the festival will be shifting its location, too.

Dawn Peters, owner of Fore Seasons, issued a statement on the business’ festival grounds Facebook page. Peters said while the setting at Fore Seasons seemed more appropriate, she and the board organizing the event had a very in-depth discussion about the venue change.

She, too, is disappointed, and in her statement she noted a number of people have asked for refunds. If those individuals bought their from Fore Seasons, Peters said she will gladly give folks their money back. Otherwise organizing groups need to be contacted for tickets purchased online.

“However, I would ask this of you all … please reconsider. Fore Seasons will still be in charge of the beer sales that night,” Peters said. “I’m going to be on stage announcing the first half of the day. If you are there, feel free to heckle me — OK, maybe not. There is some amazing talent taking the stage all day.”

Organizers had the goal of bringing residents something fun to do in Newton and to help the town as a whole. Peters pleaded with concertgoers to keep their tickets and enjoy the day, promising they will not be disappointed. She also wanted to make it clear the venue change was not done to Fore Seasons on purpose.

“What it came down to was trying to figure out a way to get everyone out here safely,” Peters said. “The rising costs of bussing everyone in due to gas prices and have to create gravel road all the way around the driving range for an ambulance or fire truck to get down in case of an emergency.”

The cost for those two things alone was astronomical, she added. The first year of an event is always a struggle, but Peters said “the plan is to come back bigger and better next year” and to hold it at the Fore Seasons Festival Grounds.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com