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Goodhue County OKs Wheat Trail Festival license with 12 conditions; camping requires separate permits
Summary
The county approved a one-time assembly license for the Wheat Trail Festival to be held July 23–25, 2026 on roughly 200 acres in Bell Creek Township, contingent on 12 conditions. Staff noted overnight camping will require a separate Conditional Use Permit and Minnesota Department of Health approvals.
The Goodhue County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 4 approved a one-time assembly control license for the Wheat Trail Festival, a rural outdoor music event proposed for July 23–25, 2026 at 16764 342nd Way in Bell Creek Township.
Land use staff said the application, submitted by Will Erickson, seeks a rural outdoor music festival to promote mental health and provide resources for the farming and rural community in partnership with the Live In Foundation. Staff told the board the county’s Assembly Control Ordinance requires licenses for ticketed events expected to exceed 500 people and that most county departments reviewed the proposal and recommended approval with conditions. “The property is located in Bell Creek Township on a township road,” the staff presentation said, and responders recommended restricting on‑street parking and attaching other conditions to ensure emergency access.
The board opened and closed a public hearing; no members of the public spoke. Commissioners then moved to approve the staff recommendation and adopt the 12 conditions listed in the staff report. The motion passed unanimously.
Staff emphasized that proposed overnight camping is not covered by the assembly license: “If there is an overnight component to the event there needs to be a separate Conditional Use Permit reviewed by the Planning Commission,” the land use presentation said, and overnight camping also requires permits from the Minnesota Department of Health. Staff said the applicant had filed a separate Conditional Use Permit application; that hearing is scheduled for the Planning Commission on Nov. 17.
County Attorney staff had no additional comment before the board voted. The board wished the organizers well and carried the motion by voice vote.
The board’s approval applies only to the assembly license and the attached conditions; any overnight camping or other activities that trigger other county or state permits must be approved separately.
