A huge field on the edge of Lucknow is being taken over by music fans this week for the annual party known as, Music in the Fields. “Year 18 for Music in the Fields, 2026. Mother nature is cooperating, and giving us some amazing weather. We’ve got over 1700 campers on site, right now. A few more are coming in today,” said Music in the Fields Marketing Manager, Cheryl Johnston. Over 8000 people will take in Music in the Fields this weekend. What started as a country music festival in 2009, has added a full night of rock music, in recent years. “People like to have that mix. So yeah, people got to bring their dancing shoes and be ready to go. There’s not going to be much downtime, and great feedback, so far. Koe Wetzel, he’s coming in tomorrow from Texas, as the Saturday headliner, And, we’ve got Finger Eleven tonight with Matthew Good, a great mix of music,” said Johnston. For Finger Eleven, it’s their first time at Music in the Fields, first time in Lucknow for that matter, but they’re happy to add some rock, to a typically country music weekend. “I love that we get to play music, to anybody that appreciates music the way we do. So, when it comes to Finger 11, you’re going to get all kinds of stuff. You’re going to get loud stuff, you’re going to get mellow stuff. And, I hope that it goes well tonight,” said Finger Eleven frontman, Scott Anderson. While the sound crews and artists are professionals, what sets Music in the Fields apart from other music festivals, is that everyone else, working behind the scenes, is a volunteer. The Lucknow Kinsmen bring together 300 volunteers each year, to pull this event off, and have raised over $2 million that stays in the local community, supporting hospitals, schools, and local charities. It keeps folks like Michelle Millar and her friend, Michelle Courtnage coming back, year after year. “This is year number nine for us. We come back, because it’s super fun, clean, just really well organized, new bands every year. And, you know what, it’s 100% local,” said Millar. Johnston says Music in the Fields has become an annual pilgrimage for thousands of Ontario music fans. “It’s family reunions. It’s the last friend get together of the summer. You know, people are just talking about kids going away to university and school, so it’s their one last chance to get together, and enjoy the whole weekend,” said Johnston. Finger Eleven hasn’t even hit the stage yet, but they say they’d already love to come back to Music in the Fields. “For the most part, if you ask us, we’ll come play. We just love to play music, man,” said Finger Eleven guitarist, Rick Jackett. Lucknow’s Music in the Fields | August 27-29, 2026
