Story originally printed in the Winona Daily News or online at www.winonadailynews.com
Published - Saturday, July 08, 2006
Fat Fest draws enthusiastic crowd
 Alyssa Voelker hoola-hoops to the beat of the Smokin' Bandits Friday at Fat Fest in Minnesota City. The area's first three-day music festival invites fans to enjoy local and regional bands throughout each day, ending with a performance by Fat Maw Rooney Saturday night, and even offered camping on the festival grounds. (Photo by Kate Weber of the Winona Daily News) |
MINNESOTA CITY, Minn. — With perspiration on their faces, a small mob of paisley-skirted women and shirtless men danced barefoot behind the L-Cove on Friday afternoon. Most had gotten little sleep from the night before.
But sleep didn’t matter.
Not during Fat Fest, where bluegrass and jam music fans were making the most of the area’s first three-day music fest, which started Thursday and concludes today. If all goes well, organizers hope the festival will return next year.
Eli Bremer of Winona mingled around the make-shift campground, stopping to dance in front of the stage with friends everytime he passed. He’s been to festivals before, but never one so close to home.
Thursday night, Bremer and his band, Down Lo, played a set in the bar after the band Trampled by Turtles played on one of two outdoor stages. Bremer said there were between 200 and 300 people at the concert Thursday and expected a larger turnout Friday and tonight.
“Last night was wild,” he said. “It was just a bunch of mellow, fun-loving people merging to have a great time.”
A lot of the festival attendees planned to stay in tents behind the bar through today.
The headlining band, Fat Maw Rooney, who helped organize the fest, stayed at bar owner Mike Pellowski’s house next door.
Pellowski has only owned the L-Cove for six months but has gotten to know quite a few local bands through his son and daughter, who both bartend.
Fat Maw Rooney’s soundman, Chad Wenzel of Winona, approached Pellowski about his plans for a bluegrass festival, and Pellowski jumped at the idea.
“I’ve known Wenzel as a professional from the beginning,” Pellowski said. “He’s a what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of guy. If anyone else had asked, I would have said no.”
Pellowski was happy to let Wenzel’s crowd stay at his home. His parents, who also were in attendance, often let his friends stay at their house when they needed to get away from home.
“Our house was a lot like a group home, and some of them brought music with them,” Pellowski said. “The Fat Maws remind me of those days. They’re like a bunch of brothers.”
Pellowski was working behind the stage rather than behind the bar Friday. He’d only gotten three hours of sleep in the past 40 hours.
“I’m living on pure excitement,” he said. “At this point, I’m surprised I’m not just rambling.”
He’d tried taking a nap earlier in the day; however, as soon as he lay down, the Fat Maws started practicing directly below his bed.
“I can’t say I minded,” he said. “I love their music.”
Bremer admitted he might have had a little too much fun. He didn’t make it to bed until 5 a.m. Friday.
“After the music stopped, we just sat around chatting,” he said. “Sleep can come later.”
If you go
What: Fat Fest, a new three-day music festival, wraps up tonight with nine bands, including Fat Maw Rooney.
When: 12:30 p.m. today to 1:30 a.m. Sunday
Where: Outside of the L-Cove, 120 Bridge St., in Minnesota City, Minn.
Tickets: $20
Information: Visit www.fatmawrooney.com for camping and other information.
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