MANHATTAN, Kan. (WIBW) – For 26 years, Tuttle Creek State Park was the home of the Country Stampede music festival, but in 2019, the festival moved, and nothing filled the vacancy.
That was until three K-State alums got their boots on the ground to fill that void and bring the first-ever Rock the Plains music festival to Tuttle Creek.
Former wildcats Coleman Younger, Richard Jones, and Brandyn Steen were behind the revival. Steen’s background in the Nashville music scene was the launch pad for the development.
The trio was thrilled to fill the gap in the place they all love so much.
“We really wanted to keep things focused here, and not only do we want to fill a void that may have been left when the prior festival left Tuttle Creek State Park, but we want new memories, we want different memories, different experiences for folks,” Younger said.
And they want to leave their own legacy.
Unlike Country Stampede, the Rock the Plains lineup focuses on Texas, red dirt country.
“It’s a different type of country music where you are talking about getting those harder rock instruments in,” Younger explained. “It’s blues, it’s rock and roll, southern rock especially, all mixed together.
They certainly weren’t the only ones excited to see this idea turn into a reality.
“We were so excited because it’s right around the time when we’re coming back for school, and it’s just a fun thing before the school year starts,” attendee and K-State student, Brooklyn Rhony, said. “I feel like there’s not a whole lot of stuff out here.”
Another attendee, Wence Hendrich, added, “So, when I went to college, I always heard about Country Stampede, but never got to experience it, and then my buddy invited me to this, so here we are. I am so excited to see Aaron Watson, I can’t even describe it.”
And according to Younger, this inaugural run is only just the beginning.
“As we continue to grow, learn more things and put more together, we plan to look at more mainstream and contemporary country, but we still want to maintain these red dirt roots that we have.”
Organizers say plans are already underway for 2026.
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