This year’s Prairie Dog Blues Fest includes a line up of familiar faces and newcomers for the three-day event, which will take place on July 23, 24 and 25 on St. Feriole Island in Prairie du Chien.
The various musical talents booked for the Fest’s 28th edition includes Mamas Worry, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Kings of Blues and Dave Orr & the Providers.
On July 23, entertainment starts at 5:30 p.m. with the Thursday Night Kickoff Party in the Beer Tent, and the party doesn’t end until midnight. Blues Fest favorite Kris Lager and his bandmates will bring his genre-blending sound tinged with soul, rock and blues. The Lincoln, Neb., native has been lauded by numerous publications, including Paste Magazine.
The Thursday night show is free for attendees, and Lager will give an encore performance the next day for those that couldn’t get enough — and, let’s be real, everybody is going to want more.
While Lager keeps the Beer Tent grooving on Friday, the main stage will host a trifecta of recognizable artists.
Mama’s Worry starts things off with a bang at 5:30 p.m. Joanne Shaw Taylor will follow at 7:30 p.m., and Kings of Blues will close out the night at 9:30 p.m.
Mama’s Worry are experienced hands, with 40 years performing across the country after starting out in McGregor, Iowa. Musicians Jeff Welter and Mel Wild are also veterans of Prairie Dog, having played at the first three events. They’ll be accompanied by Bill Obmascher, Mike Kricke and Randy Lucas.
Taylor is an English singer and musician who has released 10 studio albums. She has performed with Foreigner in Birmingham, England, and headlined a tour in the United States in 2018. In 2021, she released “If That Ain’t a Reason”, which made the charts.
Saturday, big names take the stage starting at 1 p.m. with Dave Orr & The Providers, followed by the Yates McKendree at 3:10 p.m.
Nashville native Yates McKendree has been playing since age 3. He’s played some of his hometown’s most respected venues and toured North America and Europe. He earned a Grammy Award for his work on Delbert McClinton’s “Tall Dark and Handsome.” He released his debut album, Buchanan Lane, in 2023.
Dave Orr is seasoned musician who has spent decades on Mississippi River-area stages as a supporting artist and with his own band.
At 7:30, The Jimmys will get the island bumping. The Wisconsin band is coming off a big year after winning Wisconsin Area Music Industry’s Blues Band of the Year Award in 2025.
Finally, Albert Cummings will close out this year’s Fest at 9:30 p.m. Cummings has been active in the music scene since the late 1990s and made his album debut with the band Swamp Yankee in 2000. He has continued to release albums over the past 20 years, including 2024’s Strong.
During the blockbuster show on the main stage, the Other Brothers will put on a show of their own in Beer Tent.
Fest goers also have the opportunity to peruse Vendor Row to check out jewelry, clothing, various art pieces and much more. Food trucks will be at the event to supply food and refreshments all throughout the weekend. And the Prairie Dog Beer Girls will be on hand to ensure nobody goes thirsty for very long.
Ticket prices are $65 for one day and $105 for Friday and Saturday. For more information, visit prairiedogblues.com.
For more information on accommodations and other attractions in the Prairie du Chien area, call 800-732-1673 or visit www.prairieduchien.org.
