Nominated IBMA Event of the Year 2005 & 2007!

The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival
August 7-10 2008
El Rancho Mañana, Richmond, MN

Frequently asked questions

How Do I Get There?
El Rancho Manana is located about 90 minutes Northwest of the Twin Cities, or about 30 minutes West of St Cloud. From I-94 take exit #153 at Avon. Then go South on County Road 9 for nine miles and turn left, or East, on Manana Road. (View map.)

What Do I Need To Enter?
When you reach the entrance to the grounds you will be asked to present your ticket or pay the appropriate admission fee. You must have the correct ticket for that day with you, or be prepared to purchase one before you can enter. Please do not ask to "come in just to visit" or "see if someone is here" or "find the person with my ticket."

What Should I Know If I Am Coming For The Day?
There is ample parking on the grounds about 1/2 mile from the festival area. Shuttles will be available. The Main Stage Area has lawn seating, we suggest you bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Alcohol is not sold on the grounds and is not allowed in the Main Stage Area. Carry-ins are allowed but may be inspected for alcohol before you can enter the Main Stage Area.

Can I Bring My Pet?
Pets are allowed in the campgrounds, but not in the Main Stage Area or on the beach. Pets must be leashed or enclosed in campers or cages at all times. All debris from your pet must be picked up. We reserve the right to ask that any pet be removed from the premises if there are any problems or disturbances, such as barking.

Is Camping Extra? What Type of Ticket Do I Need?
Unimproved camping for Thursday through Saturday nights is included with multiple day ticket packages and is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The day of your arrival, not the length of your stay, determines which ticket you need. If you arrive on Thursday you need a Th-Su ticket package, on Friday a Fr-Su ticket package, and on Saturday a Sa-Su ticket package. No camping is allowed with single day tickets.

How can I get a reserved, improved camp site for the Festival?

To camp in the reserved, improved campground with hookups, you must be a member of MBOTMA and ask to be put on the waiting list. It usually takes 2-4 years before you are called for a campsite. Once you get a reserved site, you may keep it year after year as long as you pay the additional fee (presently $75, covering Thursday- Saturday nights). If you can’t use it one year, but still want to keep it, you must pay the fee, though you are free to sublet it to someone else. Each spring you will receive a letter asking if you want to keep your site and if so, to send in the fee, usually by June 1st.

Campers who have not responded to their letters are called. By the first half of July we know which sites are available and we start calling through the waiting list. We are often still calling folks on the waiting list the week before the festival.

Can I Camp Before Thursday?
Unimproved camping prior to the festival is available from El Rancho Mañana (320-597-2740) for a per night fee of $10 per person (with a maximum of $20) or $10 per unoccupied camping unit. See the admission hours below. No camping in unimproved areas will be allowed before 2:00 PM on Sunday August 5th.

When Can I Arrive?
The hours of admission during the festival are Thursday Aug 9 through Saturday Aug 11 from 9AM to Midnight, and Sunday August 12 from 9AM to 4PM. If you wish to come early, admission to the campgrounds for camping will be allowed on Sunday August 5 from 2PM to 10PM and on Monday through Wednesday Aug 6-8 from 11 AM to 10 PM.

What Should I Know If I Am Planning To Camp?
No roping of sites please, spaces must be occupied by tents, tables, or vehicles. Restrooms and showers are available, as well as access to drinking water and the swimming beach. Campfires are only allowed in campground provided fire rings or suitable off-the-ground fire containers. Where fire rings are not installed you must provide your own suitable off-the-ground fire container. Fires must not be left unattended. Generator use will be restricted to the hours of 9 AM to Noon and 5 PM to 7 PM, except in designated 24-hour generator areas. External generators must be labeled as US Forest Service approved. Minors must camp with, and be supervised by, a responsible adult. Excessive noise, use of foul language, or other rowdy behavior will not be tolerated at any time or place on the festival grounds and will be grounds for ejection. No fireworks of any kind are allowed. Monte’s Meadow is designated as a quiet camping area after 10:00 PM.

What Should I Do If I Have Special Accessibility Needs?
o gas or electric powered cycles, dune buggies, go-carts, ATVs, or other personal vehicles are allowed on the grounds, other than certified handicap vehicles. Please contact us ahead to ask for our complete accessibility policies, to register your handicap vehicle, or to make other special arrangements.

Can I Help With The Festival?
Many volunteers are needed and we welcome your participation! You can make a difference, be part of the team, and have fun too! Four hours earns you an exclusive volunteer shirt. Call, write, or email and we will send you complete volunteer information.

Festival Information: 800-635-3037or info@minnesotabluegrass.org. Send in your mailing address for a free brochure!