Since 2009, this annual not-for-profit country music festival has been uniting people for a weekend filled with great music for an even greater cause.
What makes it truly special?
The entire event is run by the community. There are no paid employees.
Instead, more than 600 dedicated volunteers, along with local businesses, service clubs, and residents, come together each year to bring the festival to life and ensure an unforgettable experience for everyone.
The festival started out on the local soccer fields, with campers spread across nearby farms. Today, it has its own home at the Graceland Festival Grounds in the heart of Lucknow. Named after former owner Grace Hopf, the grounds have given the event room to grow.
Every year, the festival works to make the experience even better.
From adding more space and new artists, to letting campers pick their own spots, their goal is always to improve.
The festival also focuses on keeping things fun and safe, with flexible payment plans, shuttles to town, affordable (and local) food and drinks, merchandise, and a welcoming atmosphere for everyone.
RELATED: Read more about the Lucknow’s Music in the Fields lineup …
Festival Review Criteria
As always, I’m breaking down the festival experience into five categories:
- Venue & Organization – How the space is laid out, how smoothly things are run, and overall logistics.
- Food – Looking at the variety, quality, pricing, and availability.
- People & Vibe – What’s the crowd like? General atmosphere, how people are interacting, and the age/demographic mix.
- Bathroom Situation – Yep, we’re going there. Are there enough toilets? Cleanliness, access, all that.
- Performances – Not just who’s playing (since taste varies), but how good the sound is and how the acts deliver live.
Venue & Organization
My first thought when I heard this festival was run entirely by volunteers was, okay, we’ll need to give it some grace.
After all, it’s a not-for-profit event that donates its proceeds back to the community. It sounded like something built more for the cause than for the country music fans. But I was proven wrong almost immediately when we arrived on Friday night.
Everything was impressively well-organized. From security checks to will call and entry. The whole process was smooth and professional, with no sense that it was run by an all-volunteer team.
The volunteers clearly took their roles seriously and it showed how much they cared about the festival and the cause…which is something you don’t always see at other festivals.
I was also surprised to see the festival had its own app, complete with a detailed map, schedules, and push-notifications (something you’d expect from bigger-name competitors).
On top of that, there was plenty of clear signage throughout the grounds, and the layout was simple to follow, making it easy to get from the stages to camping to vendors without confusion.
All in all, the attention to detail really stood out and made the experience feel polished and seamless. Far beyond what I expected from a volunteer-run festival.
Food
I’ve spent my summer bouncing between music festivals, so by now I’ve grown used to “festival pricing” when it comes to food and drinks.
That’s why I was genuinely surprised at how fair and reasonable everything was here. Nothing felt overpriced, and the quality matched (or even exceeded) the cost.
For example, we paid $20 for one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had, made with organic, locally sourced ingredients. Even better, it was the exact same price the company charges at their own farm restaurant, which means no festival mark-up or price gouging.
The drinks were just as impressive. Alcoholic beverages were only $8 each… which is almost unheard of compared to other festivals I’ve been to this summer.
And for those looking to stay hydrated, there were free water refill stations conveniently placed in the grounds, making it super easy to keep a bottle topped up without constantly buying water.
On top of that, the VIP section offered some extra perks, including free light snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, which was a nice touch that made the upgrade feel even more worthwhile.
Overall, the pricing felt fair, the options were solid, and it was refreshing to see a festival that clearly values its guests’ wallets as much as the experience.
People & Vibe
One of the best things about this festival was the people.
It definitely had that charming, small-town vibe (even though the festival itself has grown pretty big).
There was a mix of attendees: kids, families, young adults, and older folks.
Overall, everyone was friendly and welcoming, which made the atmosphere feel warm and inviting. At the same time, you could see some of the crowd letting loose and having a fun time, which made for a perfect balance between small-town charm and festival energy.
There was truly something for everyone: fun outdoor games, an arcade, a campsite decorating contest, and plenty of other activities that kept all ages entertained. It wasn’t just about the music, it was an experience the whole community could enjoy together.
Bathroom Situation
I’m going to be honest… I didn’t use a porta potty all weekend.
Luckily, the VIP section had some of the nicest festival bathrooms I’ve ever seen.
Individual stalls, air conditioning, and little baskets stocked with extras like hair ties, deodorant, floss, hairspray, and more.
It was pure luxury, and I definitely took full advantage.
That said, porta potties were also available around the festival, and my boyfriend used one with no complaints.
Overall, the festival did an excellent job making sure everyone had access to clean, comfortable bathrooms, which is something that can often be a nightmare at large events.
Performances
Josh Ross and Jordan Davis headlined the festival, supported by a lineup of familiar and talented faces including Tenille Townes, Owen Riegling, The Washboard Union, Sacha, Alexa Goldie, and many more. It was a mix of big names and rising stars, all delivering great performances.
Some truly unforgettable moments stood out. Tenille Townes, in particular, created a powerful and emotional experience when the rain began to fall during her performance of “Jersey on the Wall.”
If you know the song, you’ll understand just how moving this moment was, especially given everything the community has faced this year. The combination of her voice, the lyrics, and the rain made for a beautiful scene, leaving not a single dry eye in the crowd.
There were minor sound issues during Sass Jordan’s set, but aside from that, everything seemed to run smoothly with no other noticeable problems.
Is Lucknow’s Music in the Fields Worth Your Money?
Yes, a thousand times yes. Hands down, the best festival experience I’ve had this summer.
Everything just made sense. It was organized, welcoming, and thoughtfully designed from start to finish.
From the incredible lineup of artists to the fair food and drink prices, the fun activities for all ages, the friendly crowd, and even the luxury VIP amenities, this festival truly had it all.
Whether you’re coming for the music, the community vibes, or just a weekend of fun, this festival delivers.
If you have the chance to go next year, don’t hesitate. Grab your tickets and experience it for yourself.
You won’t be disappointed!
Lily Braendle
A seasoned concertgoer and festival enthusiast who was raised on country music. With passions for writing, storytelling, marketing and content creation.
