Pierz Freedom Fest just wrapped up this weekend, and I'm already thinking about who they might wrangle for 2026. This year's headliner, Dylan Scott, was a HUGE get, and it seemed to pay off as it brought people in to the Morrison County Fairgrounds from all across Central Minnesota, even pulling people in from the Twin Cities, and North Dakota.

If It Remains A 2-Day Festival...

Let me lead off by saying all of this is conjecture on my part. I have no idea what the Pierz Area Commercial Club is planning for 2026, but I am going to operate as if it will be the same 2-day festival that happened this year. So from here on out, this is merely a wishlist and some ideas of WHO COULD perhaps be on the list of potential performers for next year.

Friday Night Rock Acts

If Pierz Freedom Fest 2026 continues with a rock night, as well as a 2-day festival, here are three interesting options that may make sense to bring in to perform Friday night.

Safe Pick is... Rick Springfield - He is still touring in 2025 with the I Love the '80s tour

Wild Card Pick...Daughtry - Originally, I had 3 Doors Down on my list, but their lead singer, Brad Arnold, has stage 4 cancer, so I pivoted to who took the group's place, touring with Creed this year. 

Shoot For The Moon Pick...Bret Michaels - Bret would definately be a fun pick for all who come on Friday night.

Those would be my top 3 choices for a Friday night artist or band for a rock night...now onto Saturday, which has traditionally been a country day, and we will go with the support act, which goes on before the headliner.

Safe Pick is...Gretchen Wilson - The Redneck Woman herself would be worth the price of admission, no question.

Wild Card Pick...Terri Clark - She has a new album out, and hosts a nationally heard country countdown show...so why not?

Shoot For The Moon Pick...LeAnn Rimes - She is already booking dates in 2026, has new music out, and won't leave fans feeling 'Blue'

We've reached the headliner phase of potential 2026 Pierz Freedom Fest artists, and I'll go out on a limb and say one of these picks would be an automatic homerun, one would be a bit of a stretch, and the other would raise some eyebrows, but all three would draw people of all ages to the show.

Safe Pick is...Dylan Marlowe - Dylan is fairly new to the national scene, but got noticed during the pandemic with his TikTok covers, and now has a hit with 2025 headliner Dylan Scott. This would be a fun show!

Wild Card Pick...Brian Kelley - BK has gone his own way since Florida Georgia Line broke up, but he has continued to put out music and would be an interesting get for the festival.

Shoot For The Moon... Nate Smith - Nate would be an automatic homerun for Pierz Freedom Fest as he has racked up 3 #1's in his career so far, by comparison, Dylan Scott had 6 when he performed here last weekend...

All A Guessing Game At This Point

This was all a guessing game at this point as the Pierz Area Commercial Club hasn't made any announcement for 2026 yet, but I hope we get a hint real soon as to what may come next year because I felt 2025 was a fun NEW experience.