It's Country Fest time at Clay's Resort. Here's who is playing and how to get tickets

Ed Balint, The Repository
Updated ·3 min read

LAWRENCE TWP. − Stark County's biggest country music extravaganza is back.

The Country Fest — an annual summertime event that features top-tier country music stars — kicks off its four-day run Wednesday at Clay's Resort Jellystone Park.

The Country Fest, which began in 2010, has grown into one of the largest privately owned country music festivals in the United States. The festival was launched by Aaron Green and Joel Beichler, who have committed to keeping the event, which can attract more than 20,000 fans in a single day, in Stark County.

Country Fest at Clay's Resort Jellystone Park in Lawrence Township drew big crowds during the four-day event last year. The event featured country music stars Jason Aldean, Brantley Gilbert, HARDY and Morgan Wallen.
Country Fest at Clay's Resort Jellystone Park in Lawrence Township drew big crowds during the four-day event last year. The event featured country music stars Jason Aldean, Brantley Gilbert, HARDY and Morgan Wallen.

Here's what you need to know about this year's Country Fest:

Who's headlining The Country Fest this year?

Riley Green, Kane Brown, Jon Pardi and Sam Hunt are headlining the event this year.

The Grammy-nominated Hunt is best known for his songs "Make You Miss Me," "Take Your Time," "Leave the Night On," and "Body Like a Back Road," which was released in 2017 and hit No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.

A record crowd of around 24,000 is shown from overhead at last summer's Country Fest at Clay's Resort Jellystone Park. Country music artist Morgan Wallen closed out the four-day event.
A record crowd of around 24,000 is shown from overhead at last summer's Country Fest at Clay's Resort Jellystone Park. Country music artist Morgan Wallen closed out the four-day event.

Here's the schedule for the top performers:

  • Green: 9 p.m. Wednesday

  • Brown: 10 p.m. Thursday

  • Pardi: 10 p.m. Friday

  • Hunt: 10 p.m. Saturday

Other performers are: ERNEST, Chase Rice, Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line, Lauren Alaina, Corey Kent, Randy Houser, Warren Zeiders, Cooper Alan and Alexandra Kay.

How do I get tickets to Country Fest at Clay's Resort?

The Country Fest is Wednesday through Saturday at Clay's Resorts Jellystone Park in Lawrence Township.
The Country Fest is Wednesday through Saturday at Clay's Resorts Jellystone Park in Lawrence Township.

Tickets can be purchased at https://www.thecountryfest.com/schedule. Ticket options include commuter tickets (arrive and leave daily), festival camping, single day tickets and deluxe camping packages.

Prices vary, but examples include single day commuter tickets for $119.99. A four-day commuter pass is $209 and a two-day commuter pass is $149.99.

Four day pit passes are sold out, according to The Country Fest website. Single day pit passes are $129.99.

How many country music fans will be at Country Fest 2023?

This year's attendance isn't expected to be as large as it was for last summer's Country Fest, which featured country music sensation Morgan Wallen, who also has crossed over into mainstream and pop music with some success.

Wallen attracted a crowd of around 24,000 for his Saturday night show.

However, "we are gearing up for this to be the third largest country fest since our first one back in 2010," said Hillary Plybon, part of the staff at The Country Fest.

"Tickets are still available online and at the gate through the last day of the festival," she added. "We have lowered the capacity since last year and expect another incredible weekend with talented artists and the best country music fans in Ohio."

Jon Pardi will be among the headliners at this week's Country Fest at Clay's Resort Jellystone Park in Stark County. The festival runs Wednesday through Saturday.
Jon Pardi will be among the headliners at this week's Country Fest at Clay's Resort Jellystone Park in Stark County. The festival runs Wednesday through Saturday.

Plybon said steps have been made to lower car traffic and improve the ease and efficiency of how festivalgoers arrive.

"So everything should run smoothly," she said.

The heaviest traffic is typically between 4:30 and 7 p.m., Plybon noted.

All fans, including daily attendees and festival campers, are asked to use this address to ease the arrival process: 5050 Manchester Ave. NW North Lawrence 44666.

How do I get to Clay's Resort Jellystone Park?

Clay's Resort Jellystone Park is located along state Route 21 at 12951 Patterson St. NW.

For more details on the event, including tickets, camping and logistics, go to https://www.thecountryfest.com/.

What about Neon Nights?

Green and Beichler launched Neon Nights, another country music festival which celebrates 1980s and 1990s artists, at Clay's Park in 2019.

The two-day event is Aug. 11-12 and will feature Travis Tritt, Tim McGraw, Tracy Bird and Mark Chestnutt.

Country music fans are shown at last summer's Country Fest at Clay's Resort Jellystone Park in Stark County. This year's event is Wednesday through Saturday.
Country music fans are shown at last summer's Country Fest at Clay's Resort Jellystone Park in Stark County. This year's event is Wednesday through Saturday.

Reach Ed at ebalint@gannett.com

On Twitter @ebalintREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: What to know about Country Fest 2023 headlined by Kane Brown