Cover Story

Festival To Offer Country Music At Its Best

BY FRANCINE FULTON

After an absence in 2020 because of the pandemic, Citadel Country Spirit USA will return on Friday, Aug. 27, to Sunday Aug. 29, at the Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show Grounds. This year’s headliners are Brantley Gilbert, Miranda Lambert and Chris Young.

The three-day festival, hosted by the Chester County Conference & Visitors Bureau (CVB), will feature 20 country music acts performing live music on two stages - 14 nationally recognized artists on the GMC Sierra Stage and up-and-comers on the Citadel Rising Star Stage.

Gilbert will headline on Aug. 27. Justin Moore, Rodney Atkins, RaeLynn and Muscadine Bloodline will also perform. Lambert will headline on Aug. 28. Other performers will include Brett Young, Carly Pearce, Jon Langston and Niko Moon. Young will headline on Aug. 29. Also featured will be Josh Turner, Scotty McCreery and Lindsay Ell.

Festival goers will experience a professionally presented show designed to showcase the nationally known musical acts. “It’s a high-level production,” said Nina Kelly, CVB director of marketing and communications. “Impact Entertainment, the beverage vendors on-site, and sponsors will offer booths with various Western-themed activities. “There might be a games area, a mechanical bull and some different things set up,” said Kelly, noting that the event will be enjoyable even for those who are not die-hard country music fans. “The whole experience is super-fun. There is a lot of music and there is a festival atmosphere.”

She said that some people are impressed that Chester County is able to attract such big stars in country music. “We are internationally known because of Longwood Gardens, but this area is a little less well known, but equally as fabulous,” Kelly said.

Citadel Country Spirit USA will take place from Aug. 27 to 29 at the Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show Grounds.

producers, also produce a festival called Country Summer in Sonoma Valley, Calif. The sound is fantastic; the acts are wonderful.”

She noted that organizers will begin setting up the venue earlier in the week. “There is a big stage they build out, and as (the date) moves closer, the talent brings huge buses and tractor-trailers with all their equipment. It is mind-boggling what goes into it,” said Kelly.

There will be food and “(In 2019, performer) Brad Paisley said, ‘I don’t know where I am, but I love it here.’”

The show will have a limited capacity this year, and a few changes will be made to the site, ensuring that those who choose to socially distance may do so while still seeing the show.

Previously purchased three-day passes, single-day tickets and parking upgrades from 2020 will be honored for the 2021 dates. Tickets for the festival are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit www.countryspirit usa.com or call 800-5143849. A portion of all ticket sales will be donated to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.

The GPS address for the event is 5 Nantmeal Road, Glenmoore. Gates will open at noon each day.

For complete details, visit www.countryspirit usa.com, www.facebook. com/CitadelCountry SpiritUSA, www.twitter .com/CountrySpiritUS or www.instagram.com/ citadelcountryspiritusa or email info@country spiritusa.com.

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