WELLS COUNTY FAIR FREE STAGE ENTERTAINMENT 2025

(Tentative Schedule—Subject to Change)

F R I D A Y,    J U N E   20,   2 0 2 5   

11am-8pm - Butterfly Encounter in Tent South of the Grandstand (Walk Through)

**The Free Stage Tent will have the Battle of the Brewers 3-5pm-Setup 6-8pm-Taste Beers&Vote 8:30-9:30pm-Results**

1:00pm—The Museum Speaks at the Museum

3:30pm—

4:30pm—The Museum Speaks at the Museum

5:30pm—Peder Gjovik & Reed McConnaughey at the Museum – Presenting about WW2 & the Norwegian “Heavy Water War”- Denying Hitler the Atomic Bomb in Norway. The presenters will give background on Allied efforts in conjunction with Norwegian SOE operatives to conduct on-site sabotage or bombing of facilities for heavy water output. A Norwegian museum stands over the actual remnants of what is now referred to as the “Heavy Water Cellar”.  Dr. Peder Gjovik retired in 2020 as an Emeritus Professor from VCSU. His family experienced the Nazi occupation of Norway, and this part of WWII history is a passion. Reed is a senior at Valley City & is considering history education as a career.

6:30pm—Wanda Melchert from the Manfred Museum will share Homesteading Stories at the Museum

S A T U R D A Y,    J U N E   21,   2 0 2 5           (Parade 10am on Main Street)

11am-8pm - Butterfly Encounter in Tent South of the Grandstand (Walk Through)

10:30-12:00pm—Shriners Caliope (with animal balloons for kids)

12:00pm— Wren Kindseth, a young harpist from Grand Forks, is the daughter of Gretchen & Lucas Kindseth, former                                     Fessenden teachers.

1:00pm—The Kleinsasser Sisters grew up in rural Chaseley.  Marjorie Kleinsasser now resides in Fessenden and is a nurse at the St.Aloisius Medical Center in Harvey & Lydia Gessle runs her family farm at rural Bowdon with chickens and gardens to keep her busy.  Together they harmonize with Gospel music & some fun older music.

1:00pm—The Museum Speaks at the Museum

2:00pm—James Scheer from Fessenden, now living in Cedar Rapids, IA, is back in town to demonstrate numerous feats of                   Mentalism. "Mind reading, predictions, & much more."   Witness the powers of the mind.

3:00pm—The Perry Anderson Family from Fessenden, will sing their favorites.

4:00pm—Open Mic Time—stop by to sing a few of your favorites.

4:30pm—The Museum Speaks at the Museum

5:30pm—“Cheese Buttons” Anika Neumiller from Minot, will demonstrate how to make “Cheese Buttons”. Then serve                      samples of her favorite ways to eat the tasty treat at the Festival Hall.

6:30pm—Vicki Lenz from Crystal, North Dakota will sing a variety of music. 

7:30pm—Chrissie Hager from Harvey, sings a variety of country and pop music – old and new!

S U N D A Y,    J U N E   22 ,   2 0 2 5    (10:00am Gospel Service at Festival Hall)     

11am-6pm - Butterfly Encounter in Tent South of the Grandstand (Walk Through)

11:00am—Country Strings from Harvey. Jean Hauser, Dave Mettler, and Orlin Larson are members of the Frozen Fingers music group out of Minot.

12:00pm—Connie Gjermundson now from Towner, was raised in a ranching family on the beautiful prairies of western ND. She has been singing & playing music as long as she can remember & will play Old Country, Gospel, & Original music. She is a mother of 4 & has 10 precious grandchildren. Her songwriting reflects her life as a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother & friend. Music is therapy & by sharing her music she hopes to bring joy to others!                  

1:00pm— Spiritwood Homesteaders, from the homestead near Spiritwood Lake, Terry & Linda Schwartz are a family folk music group with  Alternative Bluegrass /Folk/and Western music. Terry is a songwriter and will do many of his original music interspersed with some Cowboy Poetry.  Formerly the Spiritwood Creek Band, they will have CDs available.  Brian & Kathy Tebelius from Bowdon will be guest performers with the Band.

2:00pm—

3:00pm— Debi Rogers from Mandan. Debi’s enthusiasm, creativity, & humor shine when she shares the love of her Scottish-Irish heritage. A Gaelic harpist, Debi uses Celtic music, stories, & creative dramatics to teach her heritage.

4:00pm— American Idol?            

***Sound System Provided by Perry Anderson – “Class A Music” ****

This project is supported in part by a grant from the North Dakota Council on the Arts, which receives funding from the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.