Happy Harry's Rockin' Up North Fest bringing country music favorites to downtown East Grand Forks
Aug. 13—EAST GRAND FORKS — Happy Harry's Rockin' Up North Fest will again bring an array of popular country music artists to downtown East Grand Forks next weekend.
The event is set for 5-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Aug. 19-20, at 415 Fourth St. NW, one block north of The Spud Jr. restaurant on DeMers Avenue.
Guest artists are, on Friday:
* 5:30 p.m. : The Jensen Sisters.
* 7:30 p.m.: Little Texas.
* 9:30 p.m.: BlackHawk.
And Saturday:
* 5:30 p.m.: Paint the Town.
* 7:30 p.m.: Love & Theft.
* 9:30 p.m.: Michael Ray.
New this year is an "adult bar-cade," a large tent where guests can enjoy a few adult games and register for a drawing with prizes including a 60-inch TV, a large cooler, a UND hockey jersey, concert tickets and gift cards, said Justin LaRocque, event organizer.
"It's a way for people to pass the time and have more to do while they're on site," he said.
Happy Harry's Rockin' Up North Fest, which was launched in 2017 and has been held yearly — except for 2020, due to COVID — offers fans "more of a '90s country music" vibe, with one night devoted to "classic country bands that everyone knows" on the first evening, LaRocque said.
Opening the fest on Friday are The Jensen Sisters, who are originally from Goodridge, Minnesota.
Friday's headliner, BlackHawk, is "an area favorite," he said, and Little Texas is "a classic country band."
Saturday's show features Michael Ray, an "up-and-comer," whose most recent hit "Whiskey and Rain" has gone platinum, LaRocque said. "He's an artist on the rise."
Saturday's opening act, Paint the Town, a Grand Forks band, is making a return appearance. It's the only local band performing at this year's event, he said. "They have been a festival staple for us, and they always do a great job."
If the trend set in previous years holds true, the event will attract a wide range of fans, "because of the talent that we've booked," LaRocque said. "We have tried to blanket every type of demographic — so we can get from 18-year-olds to 70-year-olds."
"We're just trying to make it a fun party-like atmosphere for any age," he said.
Guests can bring their own chairs. Areas will be marked where chairs can be placed, LaRocque said.
Tickets range from $30 to $100. Single-day general admission tickets are $30 plus fees. Two-day general admission tickets are $60 plus fees. Attendance will be capped.
A VIP two-day ticket, costing $100 plus fees, includes exclusive access to a VIP viewing area, including the front row, a private bar with mixed drinks and luxury bathrooms.
Tickets are non-refundable; the event will go on, rain or shine.
For tickets and more information, go to
or call (218) 399-0121.
