Jenny Johnson
WE Fest—What You Need to Know Before You Go
WE Fest, one of the biggest country music festivals in the nation, is set to rock Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, MN from August 1-3, 2024. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned festival-goer, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your WE Fest experience.
Getting There:
The new Hilltop Parking & Transit area at WE Fest is situated about 1 mile from the concert venue, positioned between County Hwy 22 and 260th Ave, specifically at 130th St. This is designed to enhance convenience, reduce traffic, and streamline parking logistics for WE Fest guests. This area has been designated to accommodate several needs:
- Parking Lots: It includes new parking lots to accommodate hundreds of vehicles. Parking attendants are onsite from noon – 11 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
- Ridesharing: There is a designated area for ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft, facilitating drop-off and pick-up.
- Charter Bus Parking: It provides a designated area for charter buses to park.
- Shuttle Service: A free shuttle service will operate from the Hilltop Parking & Transit area to the West Gate of the venue from 1 p.m. – 2 a.m. This service aims to reduce traffic congestion on the roads leading to the West and East Gates, offering a convenient transportation option for attendees.
Wristbands and Passes:
If you haven’t received yours or have any ticket-related problems, don’t panic! Contact the WE Fest ticketing team. They are dedicated to helping fans with any ticket questions or problems. Will Call tickets can be picked up at the new Outpost Box Office at 130th & County Hwy 22.
The Outpost Box Office is open:
Saturday, July 27 – Tuesday, July 30 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Wednesday, July 31 – Thursday, August 1 from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday, August 2 – Saturday, August 3 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Camping Packing Essentials: See full list
- Camping gear (if camping)
- Beverages (no glass containers)
- Sunscreen
- Lawn Chairs
- Towel (they have free showers)
- Rain gear (just in case)
- Coolers (outside food and beverages are not allowed in the concert bowl)
- Portable charger
- Valid ID – 21+ Wristbands are required but IDs must be shown every time as well
- Bring your camp access wristband
Campground Arrival:
Upon arrival at your campground, and after a security check, the WE Fest camping staff will direct you to your campsite. It’s important to respect your neighbors and adhere to all campground rules to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone.
Getting Early Camp Access is a good idea. With Early Access, you can get in and settled to enjoy the WE Fest experience on Tuesday, July 30 for Standard, and Saturday, July 27 for VIPs. Campground Toll Booths check-in booths will be operational from July 31 to August 3, between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. It’s crucial to note that you cannot check in after the toll booth closes, so plan your arrival accordingly.
To enter the campgrounds at WE Fest, it’s essential to have two items: a Camp Access wristband and a 3-day admission concert ticket. The Camp Access wristband is mandatory and serves as proof that you are entitled to use the campground amenities. Security will enforce this requirement strictly to maintain a safe and respectful environment for all attendees.
If you plan to bring a vehicle, you must also have a Vehicle pass designated for your specific campsite. This pass ensures proper management of parking and traffic within the campgrounds. Please note that all vehicles entering or parked at WE Fest campgrounds are subject to thorough searches as part of safety measures.
Following these procedures will help streamline your arrival process and ensure a safe and enjoyable time at WE Fest.
Payments at WE Fest:
WE FEST is moving towards a cashless system for added convenience and security. Processing payments with RFID is much faster than processing payments with credit card cards, which slows the lines. This year, look for the RFID Only lines for the fastest possible. Most vendors will accept credit cards and mobile payments.
Security:
WE FEST takes security seriously. Expect bag checks and possible pat-downs at entry points. Prohibited items include weapons, drugs, glass containers, and outside alcohol. Cooperate with security personnel to ensure a safe festival for all.
Food, Beverages, and Games!
This year’s WE Fest promises an exciting array of food options:
- Breakfast: Start your day right with various breakfast vendors scattered throughout the grounds.
- Coffee Carts: For your caffeine-fix, look out for mobile coffee carts around the festival area.
- New East Village Vendors: The East Village area will feature new food vendors this year, offering a diverse range of cuisines.
- Annandale Paintball: With a command post, and WE Fest’s call for warriors to join the fight, step into the arena for a glow-in-the-dark battle, Annandale Paintball will arm you with specialized equipment!
- New THC Drink Vendor: For those interested, Gigli is offering THC-infused drinks.
Enhance your WE FEST experience with various add-ons:
- Bacardi Country Club: A few passes remain available. Level up your WE Fest GA ticket with a Country Club membership located right by the concert bowl, where members can come and go during the main stage acts. Also, don’t miss special live performances, guest bartenders in the tent, light snacks, souvenir WE Fest mugs, and more!
- Nicolet Law Main State Pit Pass: A few passes remain, get up close and personal with your favorite artists right in front of the stage.
Round Up for Charity!
WE Fest raised over $200,000 for nonprofits and volunteer groups in 2023. They are dedicated to helping the community and giving back each year by inviting local non-profits to work on behalf of their organizations through volunteer hours and their 2nd annual partnership with KLN Family Brands out of Perham, MN on the “Round Up” program. When attendees purchase goods at the festival they can select to “round up” their purchase to go to charity. Last year this program raised $39,138 for Solider 6, a non-profit organization that provides trained K9s for veterans, police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other groups needing companionship and assistance.
This year’s round-up will support two organizations; BIO Girls: A Fargo-based program that equips communities to end the self-esteem crisis in adolescent girls, and The Spot: A service dog training facility in Greenfield, MN.
6 in 10 adolescent girls battle low self-esteem. BIO (Beautiful Inside & Out) Girls is a proven, preventative mental wellness program; with the mission of improving the self-esteem of these girls across the Midwest. Through evidence-based and research-proven curriculum, BIO Girls equips participants with the skills necessary to combat societal pressures and recognize their inherent values. Girls in 2nd-6th grade come together to learn through devotions, development of life skills, mentoring, and non-competitive physical activity. BIO Girls is an inclusive program, welcomes girls of all demographics. In 2023, BIO Girls provided nearly $330,000 in financial assistance to its participants. “Wiley Wallaby, a KLN Family Brand, is proud to sponsor BIO Girls and support the work it does in our community and those around us. With two local chapters, we’ve gotten to witness first-hand the impact the program has on our daughters, their friends, and other community members!” Jadi Anderson, Marketing Director for Wiley Wallaby.
The Spot by NutriSource is a for-profit service dog training facility in Greenfield, MN. The Spot offers a safe, healthy, and encouraging environment for Veterans and First Responders to train side by side with their “battle buddy” in a variety of settings, with the guidance of a passionate team. What makes The Spot unique is that Veterans and First Responders receive specialized Service Dog training at no cost to the recipient. “We understand that financial limitations can have a significant impact on the healing journey. It’s through opportunities like this, along with our boarding, play care and grooming services, that we can provide additional support to our recipient service dog teams, as well as take care of the needs of our community.” Chris Heikkila, General Manager of The Spot by NutriSource.
Remember, WE Fest is all about having fun and enjoying great music. Stay hydrated, look out for your friends, and create memories that will last a lifetime!
It’s not too late to get your tickets!
