Record crowd expected at Wetzelland for Brantley Gilbert

A group from Indiana relaxes at a campsite at last year’s Wetzelland. From left to right are Wendy Winget, Terri Bonjour, Kevin Bonjour, Mark Winget and Dustin Wingate.

GROVER HILL — Record crowds are expected for this year’s Wetzelland, thanks to country chart-topper Brantley Gilbert’s headlining concert Saturday night.

“This is a big step out asking people what they want, and they want artists currently out touring, so we went after the big, national act,” Wetzel Motorcycle Club representative Tony Krick said. “It took a lot of jumping through hoops to get that contract signed, especially since it’s the first year for our venue to sign an act of that caliber. We’re hoping for probably a record crowd, bigger than we’ve ever had.”

Krick said they’re looking to set a gate shutoff at 18,000 if it comes to that. Some extra security training and precautions are being taken, but Krick said he had no concerns.

“We’re just doing a little more coaching on the diplomacy side. We do our own security; there’s no outside or law enforcement on grounds,” he explained. “The crowd is probably the better part of our security. They will let us know if someone will get carried away.”

Mike Fullerton with the Iron Coffins Motorcycle Club from Lima shows off his 1998 Harley Davidson Road King at last year’s Wetzelland.
Mike Fullerton with the Iron Coffins Motorcycle Club from Lima shows off his 1998 Harley Davidson Road King at last year’s Wetzelland.

Other entertainment will include Section Ate on Thursday; Colt and Crew, Saliva and Fuel on Friday; and Everette prior to Gilbert on Saturday.

Bike games “weenie bite” and “honey I’m home” will return, as well as the tattoo contest.

Tickets are $100 per person for the full weekend, which includes motorcycle parking. Vehicle and trailer parking is available for $10, and RV parking is available for $140.

Reach Tara Jones at 567-242-0511.