ST. JOSEPH 鈥� The sounds of acoustic local music will be in the air in St. Joseph every Wednesday this summer.
Rolling Ridge Wedding and Event Center announced the lineup for its seventh summer season of Wood Fired Wednesdays. The event features live music, food and beverages, owner Randy Schmitz said. The first event is May 17, with the band Trace Elements.
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This year, Rolling Ridge is offering new appetizers, signature pizzas, monthly specialty pizzas, signature drinks, an expanded craft beer selection and locally-crafted desserts and stem bars.
The event started as a casual open house for potential couples looking at the event center for a wedding venue. It grew into a community event. With COVID, organizers had to retool the event and get creative, but its outdoor venue proved perfect for the pandemic.
鈥淲e had lots of room and space to move around,鈥� Schmitz said.
The Wood Fired Wednesdays events boast a casual feel.
鈥淪ome people come specifically for the music. Some people come specifically to hang out and be with people,鈥� Schmitz said.
Organizers are intentional about the lineup.
鈥淲e wanted to keep things local,鈥� Schmitz said.
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Many acts are made up of larger bands, who come to Rolling Ridge and do a scaled-down, acoustic-style version of their catalog. The artists do a mix of original music and covers, which is a little unique for St. Cloud, which tends to favor cover bands.
Schmitz realizes his event competes directly with the Summertime By George summer concert series in St. Cloud. But that鈥檚 OK, he said.
鈥淭here can be more than one thing going on at a time,鈥� Schmitz said. 鈥淥urs is a totally different vibe.鈥�
Wood Fired Wednesdays is smaller, by design. It has a cover charge, which grew out of COVID. Organizers need to limit the number of people in the venue to comply with the law, but also needed to support the costs of the event.
鈥淚t helps limit the amount of people each week, so it doesn鈥檛 get too large,鈥� Schmitz said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a cozy, casual environment.鈥�
2023 lineup
- May 17: Trace Elements
- May 24: Locals
- May 31: Dave Lumley
- June 7: Walter鈥檚 Wheelhouse
- June 14: Galaxy Road
- June 21: Andy Austin
- June 28: Adam Hammer
- July 5: Kat Blue
- July 12: Galaxy Road
- July 19: Switch Unplugged
- July 26: Dave and Lara Duo
- Aug. 2: Locals
- Aug. 9: Trace Elements
- Aug. 16: Andy Austin
- Aug. 23: Radio Nation Unplugged
- Aug. 30: Maddy Braun
- Sept. 6: AJ Spoff
- Sept. 13: Hero and the Villian
If you go 鈥�
What: Wood Fired Wednesdays.
When: 4-9 p.m. Wednesdays, May 17-Sept. 13. Digital Encore DJ entertains from 4 to 6 p.m.; live acoustic music from local artists follows from 6 to 9 p.m. Live music will be on the lawn, closer to the barn and patio. Food includes appetizers, salads, street tacos and gluten-free crusts.
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Where: Rolling Ridge, 31101 County Road 133, St. Joseph. Event moves indoors during rain.
Cost: $5 entrance fee. Full bar service is available for cash or credit. Food orders are placed in the atrium.
Parking: Carpooling is encouraged. Parking in standard field parking lot and overflow. If full, park on the streets across from Stearns County Road 133, not on County Road 133.
Reservations: Limited number of VIP reserved tables available for up to 10 people; deadline is noon the day of the event. Cost is $300-$600, and includes entrance fees, appetizers, food and beverage tokens.
More: No pets or small children, ages 16 plus only. You cannot bring your own food and beverages. Find details at or
The Trust Project
