About Us
This is the "Grand Daddy"
of Wisconsin Gospel Bluegrass music festivals!
It's called that because this festival, which started in 1989, was the very first all gospel bluegrass festival in Wisconsin. It was also the first all gospel bluegrass festival to be held on Assembly of God property. The festival is located in the beautiful Blue Hills in northern Wisconsin, on the edge of the Chippewa River, which provides good fishing, canoeing, tubing, and beautiful wildlife. And to find it all you have to do is find the small town of Bruce, Wisconsin, which is just west of Ladysmith. Then, turn north on Hwy. 40, which runs through Bruce, follow it about 8 miles. Then, just past the intersection of Hwy. A, turn left up a windy drive-way. As you reach the top of the hill you might see well over 100 motor homes, campers, tents and a multitude of festival goers. This is the Living Waters Campground. This campground is located on 17 acres of land designed to form a natural amphitheater sloping down to the stage. But it is also the home of the Living Waters Assembly of God Church, of which the founder of the festival, Truman Stricklen, is also the Pastor.
Truman once dreamed of hosting a large gospel music get together featuring "bluegrass" and "Old Time" gospel music. He has done just that by bringing in special groups like "The Village Singers", "Joe Isaacs", "The Sullivans", "Easter Brothers", Betty Jean Robinson", and many, many more throughout the past years. He has also welcomed local groups to be a part of the festival, such as "The King's Trio", "The King's Countrymen", and "Sherry DePolis". Two of the things that high-light this festival are (1) the "open stage" which is a time slot for everyone and anyone who comes to the festival that also wants to get on stage and display their talents for the rest of us. (2) After the main stage concerts end, each night ends with "Parking Lot Picking" around several camp fires, which usually lasts into the wee hours of the morning.
For more information on Wisconsin gospel music visit the WGMAMusic.com website.