The first ever Heartland Jam in Davenport is bringing major country acts to the Quad Cities including Dierks Bentley and Big and Rich.
The festival is expected to draw over ten thousand fans but for organizer Mike Arp the festival is bittersweet.
Arp's father, Loren Arp, was killed as a result of a combine accident in 2010. It was his father's dream to put on a large scale country concert on in the Quad Cities.
"When he was in the hospital he told me how he wants this festival to go," Arp said.
"He wanted to make this a reality," Arp added.
Two years after his father's passing that dream is now a reality. With tickets for Friday going for $50.00 and tickets for Friday and Saturday going for $75.00. Doors open at noon and the event is expected to go until midnight.
Arp says people are coming from all over the country to check out the country music festival.
"I think the furthest is Jersey City, New Jersey," Arp said.
"We sold tickets in North Dakota and south down to Texas," Arp added.
The Heartland Jam is bringing a major boost to the area economy.
"According to the Convention and Visitors Bureau, we'll get a serious amount of revenue on the hotel and motel sales tax. Plus it puts Davenport on the national and international map," Mayor Bill Gluba told KWQC.
