Comstock Windmill Festival
Plan an RV trip to the Comstock Windmill Festival, a country music event that has put the small community in Nebraska on the music festival map.
Event information
Comstock Windmill Festival is a three-day country music event that takes place in Comstock, Nebraska. It is held at 2nd Wind Ranch, a scenic venue located in a canyon near the small village. The event was started with the intention of developing the rural community, creating jobs, and preserving its architectural heritage.
The festival first began in 1999 as an intimate local event that drew around 300 people. The following year, the event hosted then-newcomer Brad Paisley, who played to a larger audience of about 3000 people. Since its humble beginnings, Comstock Windmill Festival has grown in strength and now draws about 30,000 people every year.
The event features chart-topping country musicians as well as emerging local bands. In addition to Paisley, who was one of the event’s first headliners, artists like The Oak Ridge Boys, Montgomery Gentry, Keith Urban, Lonestar, Kenny Rogers, Josh Gracin, Luke Combs, and Randy Travis, have performed at the festival in the past.
Visitors to the event can stroll around the grounds taking in the beautiful views, enjoy activities like extreme bull riding and feast on delicious food. Guests might also encounter firework displays, art installations, and helicopter and hot air balloon rides.
Tickets
Comstock Windmill Festival tickets can be bought online or at one of the local retailers affiliated with the event. Visitors can choose been single-day or three-day General Admission passes. VIP ticket options are not offered. This policy is followed so that everyone has an equal opportunity to enjoy the event.
Passes have ranged in price from $40 for the Advance Single-Day Passes to $150 for the Day of Show Three-Day Passes. Free admission has been offered to active military personnel with a valid ID in the past. There are various campsite options which can also be purchased on the website.
Explore Comstock Windmill Festival RV Rentals
Transportation
Driving
2nd Wind Ranch is about five miles away from Comstock and three hours east of Lincoln, Nebraska. Motorists are likely to encounter US-183 or I-80 on the route to the ranch. Comstock Windmill Festival signs can help guide you along the way as you near the venue. Road conditions are likely to be enjoyable in June but monitor Nebraska's 511 services as you travel for ease of mind.
Parking areas
Cars can be parked in the general parking area. There will be trolleys available to ferry guests from the parking lot to other parts of the venue. If you plan on camping in your RV, you will be directed straight to your chosen campsite. In the past, guests have been able to purchase an RV camping pass in advance or on the day of the show.
Public Transportation
Since the venue is located outside the community, it’s best not to rely on public transport options to get you there. It’s a good idea to stay at the venue and use the onsite trolley service to get around. If you’re staying offsite, you may want to connect with fellow campers to carpool to the event. You can also use a taxi or ride-hailing service to get there, although this can be pricey.
Where to stay
Onsite
Comstock Windmill Festival has a number of camping options available at the venue. RVers can choose between electric and non-electric campsites. Water stations will be present throughout the camping areas. Sewage pumping has been available in the past by request for an additional charge. Quiet hours will be observed overnight. Vehicle restrictions usually apply per campsite, but additional parking is also available in other areas.
Nearby
Travelers are likely to encounter a couple of well-equipped RV parks and campgrounds within a 40-mile radius of the 2nd Wind Ranch. At these, you’ll find facilities like full hookups, laundry services, and complimentary Wifi. They are also close to local attractions like museums and flea markets. Bowman Lake State Recreation Area, in Loup City, Nebraska, is about 35 miles away and offers sites with primitive RV camping.
Getting around
Bicycles, scooters, or motorized vehicles like golf carts and ATVs are not allowed into the venue. Patrons with disabilities can get around using wheelchairs and other mobility devices. In the past, there has been an accessible trolley service available to ferry patrons between the camping, festival, and parking areas.
What to pack
Clothing
Take lightweight summer clothing like shorts, t-shirts, and tank tops. If you plan on spending all three days at the event, pack as many changes as you think you’ll need, including nightwear, socks, and warm outerwear. Comfortable flat shoes are recommended since you’re likely to be doing a lot of walking. As a country music-oriented event, you may also encounter boots and cowboy hats at the Comstock Windmill Festival.
Gear
Take a small day bag packed with essentials like sunscreen, sunglasses, a portable charger, a valid government-issued ID, and some cash. Some of the vendors may not accept cards. Bring food and drinks to enjoy at your campsite. The region surrounding Comstock welcomes travelers to explore the waterways and other natural settings, so consider which activities most interest you and grab your gear for those as well.
Health & Safety
Several drinking water fountains will be located on a covered bridge at the venue. Take a refillable water bottle and fill it up at one of these to stay hydrated. Avoid carrying any valuables around with you. Secure these in your RV instead. Use the trash bins provided to keep your campsite clean.
Where to eat
Cooking
Bonfires or open fires of any kind will not be allowed anywhere on the festival grounds. Campers can use small propane grills, stoves, or the cooking appliance in your RV to prepare your meals at the 2nd Wind Ranch. Depending on the weather, contained fires may also be allowed. Check with festival staff before lighting a fire for cooking or roasting marshmallows.
Restaurants
Comstock is a small community, so you won’t come across a wide array of restaurants, diners, and cafes there. Hungry travelers might find a few good dining options at the nearby towns of Sargent, Arcadia, and Burwell. Eating at one of the smaller, family-owned restaurants is recommended, but you’ll also have plenty of fast food options to choose from in the surrounding communities.
Vendors
There will be no shortage of good food available at the Comstock Windmill Festival. If you’d prefer not to cook, there will be breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack options available. Beer tents will be set up throughout the grounds where you can find a selection of beers, wines as well as non-alcoholic beverages.
Safety
Security
Security officers will be present at the entrances and will also be patrolling the grounds. The camping areas will have around the clock security. Check the list of prohibited items available on the website before packing for your trip to the Comstock Windmill Festival. Any banned items may be confiscated and not be returned.
Weather
Days in Nebraska are often warm and sunny with little chance of rain in June. You may need a lightweight jacket for the evenings. While planning your trip, call 511 to check if Custer County authorities have issued any road or weather alerts. Updated weather reports will also be available on the festival’s social media pages.
Medical
Patrons requiring medical assistance can head to the centrally located first aid station, which will be staffed with trained EMTs. Porta potties and shower facilities will be available in the camping areas. Guests who need to take in medically necessary items or have special accessibility requests can contact the organizers in advance.
