The St. Croix County Fair is on again, and there are some new acts to the event with some boasting local roots, or having stayed there, old favorites are back, and the last headliner is brand new, with an old twist. All the music is free, and the lineup continues to grow, in Glenwood City from July 16 to 20.
The signs of the times can be seen out and about all over St. Croix County, even on the west end, with displays such as big paper mache tractors and/or horses, all decked out with big plaid checks, and signs including one that touted in even larger letters the involvement of the Springbrook 4-H Club, one of many.
— There’s also another fest. It’s a Full Tilt Boogie, from five bands, all this coming weekend 2025. No z’s at all, from top to bottom.
This is what to expect from July 18-20. The Gaslite in Ellsworth revs up cool choppers and vintage vans, showcasing classic and custom builds that are sure to impress. Love the modes of transport. But you can never leave. Just kidding.
Also there, enjoy performances from local and regional bands, including Erik’s Iridescent Tent and Rad Enhancer, Ancient Days and Extermination Day, (themes here), and whole lotta letters RPVHCB (Regional Power Van Halen Cover Band.) Cool typography in the building of the band names.
Utilize on-site camping: So stay close to the action with convenient options of that rule.
Vendors and swap meet: Browse a variety of booths offering unique merchandise and parts of all kinds.
Keep it rolling past the fair on Sundays, namely the last two in July. On the 27th, they’re not (so much urban and here suburban) the (Foghat) Fools For The City (of Hudson as in the old Dibbo’s) or the (Village People.) They are in the just northernly township, playing as the Lowdown Dirty Fools, at Big Guys BBQ in the roadhouse, in the afternoon and into the eve. On the prior Sunday, the 20th, it’s take a bite of it and savor it, with the Greazy Gravy Blues Band. —
But to start, in Glenwood City: The Making Memories karaoke and photo booth — sound anything like The Memories music show? — is the highlight Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Croix Court tent. This is followed up, the next day at noon and again at 2 p.m., with the Eardoctors Barbershop Quartet. Before that, at 10 a.m., it’s the Sunshine Singers, though hours past dawn.
Then on Friday it’s back to the oldies but goodies, the Whitesidewalls (Old School before it was Old School) Rock ‘n Roll Review, at 7 p.m. A different genre and you can pretty much guess it, the Crabgrass Band, is making a return engagement from last year at 7:30 p.m. How is this possible? This is doubling down and getting twice the music for your dollar, (but wait it’s free except for the pronto pups and such), and it is possible if you stroll (down memory lane?) across the way to the Tiffany Creek Pavillion north of the horse arena, which is busy in itself.
It’s more of the same, again at noon and 2 p.m., on Saturday, generally the fair’s hoppingest day, with the Good Neighbor Ukulele Band — really it’s OK and it’s really cool, even in the recent heat — back at Croix Court.
Then on Saturday, we harken back to the same format, with two very different bands or should we say music acts, at 7 and 7:30 p.m., at those two same respective arenas. First it’s the 37th year at the fair baby, (I think it’s straight, maybe give or take a year or two), by The Memories — Musical Variety Show. It’s been a duo or trio, throughout all those performances, forming that base back in high school. Then in a different twist, it’s the first time at the fair and a headliner, for Half Shebang, in a recurring theme here called Honky Tonk Classic Country With An Attitude!
The last day, on Sunday, at 9 a.m. it’s back to The Memories, as they will help host a non-denominational church service. Unless the sermon goes extremely long, two hours after the church service starts, you can wrap up your fair experience with Ole and Elmer — Musical Comedy Duo. Between time is the Living Memor-ial Award. Sound familiar? All three are at Croix Court.
For more information, check out the fair’s website for an event schedule, as there are many more beyond music. And for a deep breakdown into all of the tried and true bands of varied older genres, check out HudsonWiNightlife.com’s previews in many past years, always about a week before the fair.