The Ultimate Event for Everyone You Know

No matter where you are in life, God meets you there. Fans of Higher Ground say over and over again how strongly they feel God's presence at this event. It's true. God is at Higher Ground. In the amazing music, in campfire conversations, in the praise of thousands of voices and in the new friends you meet here.

Higher Ground Music Festival promises to be an amazing experience! Each year when August arrives, you feel summer slipping away. You start thinking of all the things you were going to do... concerts, camping, volleyball, late night talks under the stars... well, this year will be different, because you're headed to Higher Ground.

Imagine a Christian music festival that's close to everywhere and features everyone you want to hear. Best of all, you will meet some amazing people who are savoring summer's sundown, just like you.

Summertime is precious and sometimes a multi-day event just doesn't fit your plans. At Higher Ground, we offer a two-day getaway designed to renew and uplift your spirit. Forget the spreadsheet schedule and 300-acre map you need at other festivals. We believe getting lost in the music beats getting lost in the crowd. Higher Ground makes you feel closer to the music, because you are closer... to all the great bands. Enjoy a festival with the intimacy and simplicity of a classic outdoor concert. Think of it as hanging out with a few thousand friends instead of scrambling to find the right stage at a super-sized mega-show. At Higher Ground, we make it simple.

All tickets may be purchased at the gate.

Facilities

In the off-season, it’s an unassuming prairie, but during the festival, the Higher Ground Music Festival site bustles with activity. The venue’s stage is 100 feet long, providing a wide performance area and great views. Higher Ground offers several beverage and food tents. To purchase food and beverages at our event, we use a ticket system. One ticket for one dollar - you can purchase tickets at two convenient stands labeled "Concession Tickets." Many tasty foods are available from our HG food vendors.

HG also has first aid and handicapped facilities, ATM, 24-hour security, primitive camping, great merchandise, lawn sports and volleyball areas, plus a whole lot more! While camping is a great bargain, you can also check out our list of local hotels.

Note: We WILL NOT have the mobile shower truck this year. If you know of a business that would like to sponsor this service, please let us know at info at hgmusicfest dot com.

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Activities

Higher Ground Music Festival will feature a Sports Pavillion with lots to do and see. From volleyball to bean bag horseshoes, there will be several lawn sports and equipment available free to festival-goers. Just check out the equipment from the info booth.

An Inflatable Village supplied by K & K Fun Time will also be on site. Try out the obstacle course, slides and bouncing rooms for air-filled fun for all ages. Wristbands can be purchased for unlimited access to the Inflatable Village.

Campsite Contest - Decorate your campsite and win a prize. Register by 8 p.m. Friday at the HG Info Booth. Final judging will be early Saturday with prizes awarded.

T-shirt Decorating Contest - Decorate a T-shirt and win a prize. The work has to be done by hand. Register by 8 p.m. at the HG Info Booth Prizes awarded Saturday.

Volleyball Tournament - Take on other teams in the HG Volleyball Tournament. Max of 8 players per team, six on the court at one time. Sign up your team by 9 p.m. Friday night at the HG Info Booth. All teams will meet at 10:15 a.m. Saturday at the volleyball court for the rules. Tournament starts at 10:30 a.m. Room for up to 16 teams.

Don't forget to bring your own frisbees, footballs, baseballs/softballs and gloves for pick-up games. Drawings for prizes will be held both days. Register at the Higher Ground info booth for the chance to win tickets and camping passes for Higher Ground 2010 and other great free stuff!

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Maps & Directions

Just 35 miles west of Minnesota's Twin Cities, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Higher Ground offers a great central location with easy access from State Highways 12 and 7. The property is adjacent to the Winsted Airport, just south of Winsted. The spacious outdoor site has gained popularity in the last decade since it is home to Higher Ground's sister festival, Winstock, a country music event annually held in June.

Local Map  Venue Map  Winsted Map

FROM THE TWIN CITIES AREA

If you travel west on Highway 7, turn north on McLeod County Road 1 (old Highway 261) for about 3 miles, festival grounds are on your left, watch for signs

TRAVELING WEST from the Twin Cities area on Highway 12

If you are coming West on Highway 12, turn south on Cty Rd 6 and follow to Winsted, watch for signs

TRAVELING EAST on Highway 12

If you are coming East on Highway 12, turn south on Cty Rd 5 (follow Cty Rd 6 Detour Signs) about 3 miles to Cty Rd 30 and head east about 4 miles to Cty Rd 6 and head south to Winsted. Watch for signs.

You can also get directions from your place to Higher Ground using MapQuest.

Get Detailed Driving Directions from Your Location

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Gates & Parking

When entering through the main gates, you will exchange your ticket for a wristband. This wristband must be worn at all times. Just show your wristband each time you go through the gates. Each campsite comes with parking passes for two vehicles. For all other vehicles, general parking near the grounds is available within walking distance for $5. Please follow the signs to designated areas.

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Seating

Your favorite lawn chair is standard Higher Ground seating. We cannot be responsible for lost or stolen chairs. No chairs may be placed in the viewing area until the performance area gates open. Be sure to grab your chairs after the music is done for the day. The music area will be cleared of chairs nightly.

Tip: Put your name on your chair just in case!

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Ground Rules

A few laws of the land will help ensure we all have a fun yet safe weekend. Higher Ground respectfully asks everyone to abide by the following rules:

• Firearms, alcohol and tobacco are not permitted anywhere on the festival grounds.
• Anyone in possession of banned materials will be asked to leave.
• In consideration for others, no umbrellas or lounge chairs.
• Higher Ground is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets, personal injury or loss, theft or damage to personal property.
• Please be aware of your surroundings, as Higher Ground assumes no liability if you become injured.
• Higher Ground has the right to inspect persons or parcels.
• All campfires must be in contained units when conditions are approved by the Fire Marshal.
• Outside food or beverages may not be brought into the music area, with the exception of water in personal size containers. (No Coolers or large thermoses).
• All chairs must be removed from the music area after the last performance.
• Must be 18 or older to purchase a camping permit.
• All people in the campgrounds must wear a wristband at all times.
• No audio or video taping of band performances.
• Pictures of entertainers must be taken from designated areas.
• Quiet time in the campground will be enforced from 2 a.m. - 7 a.m.
• Please, no pets.
• No ATVs or golf carts.
• Persons violating policies will be ejected and may be subject to prosecution.
• No refunds to anyone ejected for rules violation.
• By attending Higher Ground, you acknowledge and agree your photo may be used in future promotional materials.
• No couches or furniture allowed.
• No tailgating allowed in Higher Ground parking lots.
• We ask that everyone attending Higher Ground carry a picture ID.
• Vehicle Rules: All vehicles must fit in your campsite, or be parked in a designated lot.

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Weather

In the event of inclement weather, the show will be interrupted and will resume as soon as weather permits. Tickets are sold on a "rain or shine" basis, and no refunds will be given for delays or cancellations due to bad weather.

Pray for sun!

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Youth Groups

Why Higher Ground?

There are many options when it comes to youth activities these days. Finding an event that’s just right for your group is easier than you think -- if you consider coming to Higher Ground. Summer goes by quickly and not everyone can fit a multi-day music festival into an already jam-packed summer. Higher Ground is two days of renewal through some of today’s best Christian music. It’s a smaller, more intimate environment with a few thousand new friends, not an overwhelming, mega-show. At Higher Ground, you get lost in the music, not lost in the crowd. We make it simple.

What does Higher Ground offer your youth group?

How about a fun-filled weekend of music, friends, food, camping, fellowship and most importantly, a chance to set aside time for God. Higher Ground Music Festival offers a premium blend of today’s top Christian music for your group to enjoy. Higher Ground offers activities such as bean bag horseshoes, volleyball, inflatables and more. Several other sports items will be available for free check-out at the info booth. Food and beverage are available from great vendors, but feel free to have your own picnic in the campground. Bring campfire supplies because the music you hear is sure to inspire spontaneous sing-a-longs late into the night. The possiblilities are endless.

How can I get the most out of Higher Ground for my youth group?

With just a little planning, you can create an "event-within-the-event." Schedule group activities, from meals to devotions to volunteering. You will see your group bond in a new way during your fellowship. One of the best ways to experience all this event has to offer is by camping together as a group. Purchase all of your campground tickets at the same time and get a block of sites. Unleash your group’s creativity by participating in the Higher Ground Campsite Challenge. Prizes are awarded to the best-decorated campsite. Create a challenge among your own group or challenge other youth groups to have the most unique campsite. Most of all, have fun with it.

What about group rates?

If you have 10 or more people, check out our 5th anniversary Group Special.

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Camping

Camping Passes: $30 now, $35 at gate Download a camp ground map. Reserved camping at Higher Ground offers the ultimate music festival atmosphere. Forget a mad dash for the best spots on the first day. All sites are reserved and assigned based on your order date. Two vehicle permits will be mailed to each campsite holder. These permits allow you to drive right to your campsite and park there all weekend. Camping is the best deal for your dollar. Most campsites are located adjacent to the concert site, allowing easy access between the music area and your campground. The sites are spacious, 25 feet by 35 feet, but they are primitive, with no running water or electricity. Fresh drinking water and ice will be available in the campground. Up to six people and two vehicles are allowed per campsite. Camping passes are $30 for all the nights you want to stay, Thursday through Saturday. That's cheap sleeping, at less than $2 per person per night! *Tip for Groups: If you want two or more campsites together, have one person from your group buy all of the campsites at once to guarantee you will be next to each other.

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Local Hotels

Hotels located within 25 miles of the festival are listed below. You can click on a hotel name to get more information about a hotel and you can click on a city name to get more information about a city.