If you've ever driven by the tiny town of Comstock in Custer County, you've no doubt seen the numerous windmills poking their heads up into the sky. The place is known as the 2nd Wind Ranch, and it has a long history. Recently, it added a new chapter.
In 1999, the owners of this ranch decided to invite musical acts to perform in this beautiful valley. The Windmill Festival was small the first year, only drawing a crowd of about 300 people.
The next year, relative newcomer Brad Paisley headlined the show and brought in a crowd of 3000 spectators.
And the festival only grew from there, with the next year bringing in an astonishing crowd of 30,000 people. The venture was a success, with talent and attendees alike singing the praises of the unique venue. Locals volunteered time and labor to bring this dream to life.
The Windmill Festival was soon joined by the Comstock Rock Show and Nebraska's Godfest, a Christian music festival. The festivals drew in local, regional, and national acts for long weekends full of music and fun.
Unfortunately, hard financial times caused the 2nd Wind Ranch to discontinue the music for several years. Various people tried to revive the previous magic, but nothing worked...
...Until 2016, when the organizers put together a smallish festival called Comstock is Back to test the waters and see if the crowds would still come out to this little valley in the middle of nowhere. Again, locals poured a lot of love and effort into this venture.
And, of course, the crowds did not disappoint. The 2016 festival was a success, and the 2017 show was even bigger and better. Thousands of people enjoyed the June 2017 show - and it's not just about music. There's also food, vendors, bull riding, fireworks, and a number of other side attractions to keep everyone entertained. People camp in the field all weekend to make the most of the experience.
The tiny town of Comstock has managed to turn their once-little festival into what they say is the largest prairie party in the world. The energy at the shows is indescribable.
The organizers are already putting together the 2018 shows. The Windmill Festival will be June 15-17, 2018, and Comstock Rock will return on July 20-22, 2018. Get more information on the Windmill Festival's website and keep up with news on their Facebook page.
Have you ever been to a festival at the 2nd Wind Ranch? How do you feel about the return of the Windmill Festival? Let us know all about it in the comments!
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