AND EXTREME HEAT. HINTERLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL IS MAKING NEW IMPROVEMENTS TO ITS GROUNDS AND CAPACITY. IT’S COMING UP AUGUST 1ST THROUGH THE THIRD IN SAINT CHARLES. vlog PHOTOJOURNALIST JOSH PAYNE SPOKE TO AN ORGANIZER ABOUT PLANS TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE STAY SAFE WHILE ENJOYING THE SHOWS. IT’S OUR 10TH YEAR, WHICH IS A BIG YEAR FOR US, SO THIS PLACE IS ABOUT TWO AND A HALF TO THREE TIMES AS BIG AS OUR LAST LOCATION. WE’RE A CAMPING FESTIVAL, SO A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE ARE JOINING US FOR THE ENTIRE WEEKEND. WE MADE THIS RING ROAD TO GO AROUND THE ENTIRE PROPERTY. WE WON’T HAVE TO CUT THROUGH THE GROUNDS AND DRIVE THROUGH PEOPLE. JUST SOME THINGS THAT LIKE HELP US STAY A LITTLE BIT LESS CONGESTED. WE DID A LOT OF DIRT WORK HERE, PUSHED AROUND STUFF TO TO MAKE IT, YOU KNOW, THIS NATURAL BOWL WE BROUGHT IN A TEAM THAT DOES WATER SERVICES AT ALL THESE BIG FESTIVALS. THEY BRING ALL THE EQUIPMENT IN. YOU KNOW, WE INSTALLED NEW, NEW TWO INCH MAINS HERE, TWO OF THEM TO TO FEED ALL OF THESE DIRECT FEED WATER STATIONS. AND THEN WE’LL BE GIVING OUT FREE WATER IN THE BARRICADE. WE’VE ALREADY PREPARED FOR THAT. ORDERED 26 PALLETS OF, OF WATER THAT’LL BE PASSED OUT FOR FREE THROUGHOUT THE FESTIVAL. THIS YEAR WE’RE ROLLING OUT THIS 90 DEGREE GUARANTEE, WHICH BASICALLY IF THE TEMPERATURE IS FORECASTED TO BE ABOVE 90 DEGREES ON ANY OF THE THREE DAYS, THEN YOU CAN REQUEST A REFUND. IF YOU DECIDE YOU DON’T WANT TO GO ON THAT DAY. THIS YEAR WE WENT UP ABOUT 5000 ON OUR CAPACITY. SO YOU KNOW, WE’RE WE’RE SELLING 25,000 IN THIS SPACE. YOU KNOW, BEING SMALL, IT ALLOWS US TO CURATE THIS LINEUP IN A WAY THAT, YOU KNOW, ME AND MY
Setting the stage: Hinterland Music Festival evolves for Its 10th year
Hinterland Music Festival will now have upgraded water stations, a high temperature refund policy, and more.
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Updated: 10:19 PM CDT Jul 9, 2025
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As the Hinterland Music Festival steps into its 10th year, Festival Director Sam Summers offers insights into this year's event growth and improvements. Since its start in 2015, Hinterland has become a Midwest summer staple, appealing to both locals and out-of-state visitors. Summers says the festival's 10th year will be a "big year," after reflecting on the festival's journey. Expanded Space & Iconic LineupThe festival will now be a larger venue, accommodating a 25,000 capacity, 5,000 more than before. It will also be spread across 80 acres. Summers explained, "This place is about two and a half to three times as big as our last location." Additionally, Hinterland continues to attract star-studded names, with Lana Del Rey, Tyler, the Creator, and Kacey Musgraves headlining this year. Summers credits the festival's reputation for major acts, adding, "We've built good experiences for the artists over the years… It’s made my job a lot easier." Keeping Fans Cool & ComfortableIn light of last year’s heat concerns, the festival has implemented several new measures on top of offering free water. Attendees can bring empty water bottles to fill up at newly installed direct-feed water stations. "We ordered 26 pallets of water that will be passed out for free throughout the festival," Summers said. To further address hot weather, the "90-Degree Guarantee" policy allows attendees to request refunds if temperatures rise above 90°F. Smoother Logistics & improved Shuttle ServiceThis year’s festival operations have been fine-tuned with teams overseeing parking and crowd logistics. Efforts have also been made to ease traffic congestion, with shuttles running efficiently between Des Moines and the venue. "We run shuttles, all day long, Friday, Saturday, Sunday from the Casey's Center a lot, and those just those stop right at the festival and drop people off." Summers also explained that the shuttle has easy interstate access to quickly get to and from locations. The festival also introduced a "free-look" policy for premium ticket holders, allowing them to explore upgraded viewing areas and adjust their tickets if needed. "Being small allows us to curate this lineup in a way that me and my team like. We get to create the artwork we want, and we get to grow in the way we want, which allows us to roll out these different policies," Summers said. Building Community Through MusicSticking to its roots, Hinterland remains a camping festival which includes a campfire stage and a wide variety of food vendors. Summers aims for the festival to include a welcoming atmosphere, especially for visitors unfamiliar with Iowa, saying, "We feel a responsibility to make sure everybody’s having a good time, because a lot of people have been coming every year."
SAINT CHARLES, Iowa — As the Hinterland Music Festival steps into its 10th year, Festival Director Sam Summers offers insights into this year's event growth and improvements.
Since its start in 2015, Hinterland has become a Midwest summer staple, appealing to both locals and out-of-state visitors. Summers says the festival's 10th year will be a "big year," after reflecting on the festival's journey.
Expanded Space & Iconic Lineup
The festival will now be a larger venue, accommodating a 25,000 capacity, 5,000 more than before. It will also be spread across 80 acres.
Summers explained, "This place is about two and a half to three times as big as our last location." Additionally, Hinterland continues to attract star-studded names, with Lana Del Rey, Tyler, the Creator, and Kacey Musgraves headlining this year. Summers credits the festival's reputation for major acts, adding, "We've built good experiences for the artists over the years… It’s made my job a lot easier."
Keeping Fans Cool & Comfortable
In light of last year’s heat concerns, the festival has implemented several new measures on top of offering free water. Attendees can bring empty water bottles to fill up at newly installed direct-feed water stations. "We ordered 26 pallets of water that will be passed out for free throughout the festival," Summers said. To further address hot weather, the "90-Degree Guarantee" policy allows attendees to request refunds if temperatures rise above 90°F.
Smoother Logistics & improved Shuttle Service
This year’s festival operations have been fine-tuned with teams overseeing parking and crowd logistics. Efforts have also been made to ease traffic congestion, with shuttles running efficiently between Des Moines and the venue. "We run shuttles, all day long, Friday, Saturday, Sunday from the Casey's Center a lot, and those just those stop right at the festival and drop people off." Summers also explained that the shuttle has easy interstate access to quickly get to and from locations.
The festival also introduced a "free-look" policy for premium ticket holders, allowing them to explore upgraded viewing areas and adjust their tickets if needed. "Being small allows us to curate this lineup in a way that me and my team like. We get to create the artwork we want, and we get to grow in the way we want, which allows us to roll out these different policies," Summers said.
Building Community Through Music
Sticking to its roots, Hinterland remains a camping festival which includes a campfire stage and a wide variety of food vendors. Summers aims for the festival to include a welcoming atmosphere, especially for visitors unfamiliar with Iowa, saying, "We feel a responsibility to make sure everybody’s having a good time, because a lot of people have been coming every year."
