Road to WE Fest
The official karaoke contest search across Minnesota & North Dakota. Sing your heart out at local round-ups and earn your spot on the legendary WE Fest Main Stage!
From The Round-Up To The Big Stage
Every year, local talent steps up to the mic at neighborhood bars and earns their dream performance in front of tens of thousands at WE Fest.
Courtney Gunsalus
Courtney Gunsalus
Congratulations to Courtney Gunsalus, the official winner of the 2026 Road to WE Fest contest!
Bringing powerhouse vocals and unforgettable stage presence through each round of competition, Courtney earned the crown and the ultimate honor: taking the main stage at WE Fest to perform live in front of tens of thousands of cheering country music fans.
Courtney will perform the National Anthem and represent the passionate country music community across the Midwest at the iconic festival grounds in Detroit Lakes, MN.
MiKayla Koski
MiKayla took the crown at the 2025 Road to WE Fest Karaoke Contest and sang the National Anthem live at WE Fest in front of thousands of screaming country music fans.
Her journey started at a local bar Round-Up — just like yours can. Every winner started by stepping up to the mic for the first time.
2026 Master Schedule
Preliminary competitions and finals at 125+ participating venues across Minnesota, North Dakota, and beyond.
Want to host a Round-Up at your venue?
Bring country music fans to your stage and give your patrons the chance of a lifetime to perform at WE Fest 2026.
Host A WE Fest Round-UpCompetition Timeline
The path from local neighborhood bars to the grand stage at WE Fest.
Round-Up Contests & Finals
Preliminary round-ups and finals hosted at participating bars across Minnesota and North Dakota. Winners advance to the Semi-Final Showdown.
The Showdown Semi-Finals
At the legendary Shooting Star Casino on the Mustang Lounge Stage in Mahnomen, MN. Registration begins at noon. The best local winners face off!
Last Chance Round-Up
At WE Fest in the iconic NEON Saloon on festival grounds. The final opportunity for any last-minute hopefuls to qualify for the big finale.
Finals To The Big Stage
At WE Fest in the NEON Saloon. The top vocalists battle for the ultimate crown, singing live in front of the judges and crowd to claim the Grand Championship!
Grand Prize Package
Sing The National Anthem
The Grand Prize Winner performs the National Anthem a cappella live on Friday night, August 6th, 2027, on the iconic WE Fest Main Stage in front of tens of thousands of country music fans.
Two WE Fest 2028 Tickets
Receive two complimentary Grandstand tickets to WE Fest 2028! Return as reigning winner, enjoy all 3 days of country headliners, and celebrate with the WE Fest family.
How You're Scored
Contestants are judged on a standardized 100-point scale across three core performance categories.
Presence, artistic interpretation & audience connection
Vocal quality, breath technique & musicality
X-factor, wow moment & lasting memorability
Stage Presence
15 ptsConfidence, energy, and total ownership of the stage.
Artistic Interpretation
15 ptsEmotional connection, storytelling, and creative delivery.
Audience Connection
15 ptsCrowd engagement, reaction, and excitement during performance.
Vocal Quality
15 ptsPitch accuracy, tone resonance, clarity, and range control.
Vocal Technique
15 ptsArticulation of lyrics, diction, breath support, and dynamics.
Musicality
15 ptsRhythm, timing in pocket, phrasing, and sense of groove.
Official Rules & Information
Everything you need to know before stepping onto the contest stage.
Grand Prize Terms
The Grand Prize Winner will perform the National Anthem on the WE Fest Main Stage on Friday, August 6th, 2027. The winner will also receive two Grandstand Tickets for WE Fest 2028.
Ticket Delivery: Please print clearly on registration sheets. WE Fest will mail winner tickets to the provided address by July 15, 2027.
Eligibility Requirements
- ★Age: Must be 18 years of age or older by July 1, 2027.
- ★Amateur Status: Professional vocalists are not eligible. A professional vocalist is defined as anyone who earns 50% or more of their annual income from singing (including touring, studio work, or paid vocal instruction).
- ★Prize Limit: Each contestant may win only one prize package. Contestant details are verified before distributing tickets.
Performance Guidelines
- ♪Contestants may perform any genre of music.
- ♪Time limit: 5 minutes maximum per performance.
- ♪Solo performances only — no duets or groups. One entry per event, per person.
- ♪Once your Contestant Registration Form is submitted, song choices may not be changed.
- ♪Inappropriate or disruptive behavior will result in immediate disqualification.
Media Release & Obligations
By signing the registration form, contestants grant WE Fest and its affiliates the irrevocable right to use their name, likeness, voice, and performance in promotional photographs and video.
The overall winner will perform the National Anthem a cappella — without background music on Friday, August 6th, 2027 at WE Fest. All decisions made by contest organizers and head judges are final.
WE Fest 2027 Headliners
Sing on the very same stage as the biggest stars in country music history.
Tim McGraw
The Red Clay Strays
Riley Green
Sam Barber
Russell Dickerson
Dustin Lynch
Midland
Ole 60
Waylon Wyatt
George Birge
Neal McCoy
Kassi Ashton
Tyce Delk
Sela Campbell
Colton Bowlin
Just Jayne
Landon Wilks
Rob Langdon
+ More to be added soon!