Old Time Rural Music Gathering

From Old Time Rural Music Gathering Website:

This wonderful gathering of like-minded folks who appreciate country music in it's earlier forms, got it's start with Jack and Florence Arnold and their family (Debbie, David, Dwayne, Denise, Danny) at the Christensen Field House in Fremont, Nebraska. They gathered their resources together and staged one of the finest, single-stage, old-time country events in Nebraska. The Arnold's formed the Elkhorn Valley Country Music Association to get enough volunteers to make it all work, and it was a surprisingly good and long running festival. Jack passed away first, followed by Florence not long after. Both are buried in the cemetery just across the street from the Christensen Field House in Fremont. After their passing two amateur promoters Frank Bigelow (Crescent, Iowa) and Bob Widdick (Carson, Iowa) tried to restore the festival, but quite frankly they did a horrible job, and left a very very sour feeling among those that had attended the festival in the past. Bob & Sheila Everhart waited three years after the fiasco, and then attempted to bring the festival back to where it had once been. It was not easy to break down the incredible negative feelings, but after three additional years of hard work, this wonderul event is back on track. It is called the "Old Time Rural Music Gathering" in honor of the Arnolds, and features all the things they did originally, with some additional offerings that make it an even more entertaining event. John McEuen from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band stopped by at the festival in 2008, and is one of many in a long list of celebrities supporting what Bob & Sheila are doing in Fremont and LeMars, Iowa. The "Old Time Rural Music Gathering" is still held in Fremont, Nebraska, and it's still held at the Christensen Field House, usually the first full weekend of October, which usually includes the Everhart's daughter Bobbie Lhea's birthday which is Oct. 3.

Some pretty amazing talent has shown up for this gathering, and 2014 appears to be no less than the best. Invited performers include:

The Kenaston Family; Mary Channer Paul; Bob & Sheila Everhart; Jackie Shewey; Marge Lund; Dale Eichor; Bobby Awe; Francis Hahn; Rick & Harriette Andersen; Kathy Dovel; Mike Behnk; Marvin Bredemier; Bill Hendren; Paul Wold; Jack Langley; Emma Heyen; Janet Cline; Norville Dollar; Jim Barnes; Paul Burnett; Lee Muller; Dale Williams; Reed Family: Down Home Dulcimers; Marcia Greve; Outta Gas; Bob Keim; Wilbur Foss; Mark & Sue Jenkins; Jay Kelly; Kramer sisters, and more!

Don't miss the great old-time country dance on Saturday night, and the Friday Night Opry on Friday night. You'll also enjoy the Sunday Gospel Show. There are contests beginning Saturday morning: 9am-Open Fiddle; 9:30am-Under 16 Performers; 10am-Over-50 Singers; 10:30am-Original Songwriters; 11am-Adult Performer; Noon-Band Scramble. The food at this event is some of the best country cookin' you're likely to find anywhere. Culver's Restaurant is bringing their mobile kitchen featuring their usual Butter-Burgers and all that you know from Culver's along with 'specials' like Biscuit & Gravy - Fried Chicken - Roast Beef, and many other kinds of delicious country food. RV camping is available on the grounds, all hook-ups are 30-amp at $13 per day with electricity, $9 without. Car parking is $2. There are hot showers and toilets available. Admission to the festival is $15 adult daily ticket, or a 3-day pass for $35. All under 18 are free. Seating is available, but we recommend you bring lawn chairs for your own comfort in the beautiful climate-controlled Christensen Field House.