The news is not good for country music fans in eastern Iowa, western Illinois, and western Wisconsin. Country on the River will not happen in 2018.

Organizers of the event, held each of the past eight years in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin have informed us that the festival will not be held next year. It's typically the first part of August and last year featured headliners Chris Stapleton, Darius Rucker, and Justin Moore.

The events Facebook page has also posted a message thanking fans for the last eight years. It says, in part, "We regret to announce that the festival will not be returning in 2018. Instead, we’ll be taking a year off to look at improvements to the event. We hope to be back in 2019 bigger, better … and even more country."

We'll miss you Country on the River. Here's hoping 2019 can become a reality and re-start what's been a wonderful live music tradition in our area!

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