Delaware’s Dueling Country Fests

The group behind Dover’s Firefly Music Festival announced Dec. 18 that it will launch the new Big Barrel Country Music Festival in June. The event is backed by concert giant AEG and Chicago-based Red Frog Events.

The announcement came a day before tickets went on sale for the Delaware Junction country music festival, which is to take place in August in Harrington. Delaware Junction’s performers include Jason Aldean, Toby Keith and Florida Georgia Line.

Delaware Junction is organized by Live Nation and Dewey Beach’s Highway One Group.

Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood will headline the Big Barrel Country Music Festival in June.

Promising “a chance to kick back with friends and family for a rowdy summer weekend,” Big Barrel takes place June 26-28, the week following the Firefly Music Festival at the same location – The Woodlands Of Dover.

The inaugural lineup also includes Jake Owen, Chris Young, Gary Allan, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard and 40 other acts.

In addition to all that music the festival will include several pleasurable attractions such as a large-scale dance hall, BBQ area, saloon, and a marketplace filled with western goods and products.  There will also be a family-friendly area.

“Firefly, combined with its home at The Woodlands of Dover International Speedway, has established the East Coast’s standard when it comes to delivering a top-notch music festival,” Firerfly/Big Barrel director Greg Bostrom said.  “We’ll leverage the Firefly foundation and our collective backgrounds bringing preeminent music festivals to life to establish Big Barrel as the benchmark for country music experiences this side of the Mississippi River.”

Tickets went on sale Dec. 18 with three-day general admission passes going for $99. Camping options include Corral Club, where you get access to a private air-conditioned tent, RV packages and tent camping.  Payment plans available.  Point your browser to BigBarrelFestival.com for more information.