N.D. Festival Don’t Ya Know

The city’s two main venues – the 12,000-capacity Ralph Engelstad Arena and the 22,000-capacity Alerus Center – want to create an annual festival, booked with musicians that happen to be traveling through the area around the weekend of June 27-28.

Ralph Engelstad’s manager, Jody Hodgson, called it a “unique opportunity” and is not dropping hints about the bill – but has made it clear that artists are booked quickly and the festival needs to happen fast.

Grand Forks has approved $50,000 for promotion plus $200,000 in reserve to cover financial loss if the festival doesn’t turn a profit, according to Prairie Business; the venues will take on the remaining $1 million cost.

June 27 would be a “major concert” at Alerus Center followed by another one at Ralph Engelstad June 28, with “a variety of activities” in between.