WOODSTOCK, Ill.—Aug. 14-15, eight cover bands and thousands of music fans will descend on Galt Airport outside this McHenry County, Ill., town northwest of Chicago. It promises to be a nostalgic nod to history and a rockin’ good time.

The event is Tribute to Woodstock, an anniversary celebration of the sonorous landmark happening on an upstate New York farm exactly 40 years earlier. That historic, 1969 weekend is now widely regarded as one of the greatest moments ever in rock ’n’ roll history.

Scheduled to re-create the magic on Galt’s stage are tribute bands for Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Joe Cocker, The Who, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Grateful Dead, Santana and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young—all groups that appeared at the original gathering.

“We searched coast to coast to locate and book the very finest tribute bands in the nation,” says event organizer Laura Witlox.

Coordinator Michael Stanard added: “They’ll astound concert-goers with the quality, accuracy and excitement they create with the music performed at the original Woodstock. These bands will blow people away!”

The two-day festival gets under way at 7 p.m., Friday, and at 3 p.m., Saturday, and will run late into both evenings. Tickets are $20 for Friday night (three bands), $30 for Saturday afternoon and evening (five bands), or $40 for both days and all eight bands. To purchase tickets, call the box office at (815) 648-4591, ext. 13.

Lawn seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Food and drink concessions are available on property. Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome. Ample parking is available, and arrangements for overnight RV camping can be made at (815) 648-4591, ext. 10. (No coolers, food or beverages may be carried in, and tent camping is not allowed.)

Galt Airport is on Greenwood Road, 8 miles northeast of Woodstock, Ill., or approximately 50 miles northwest of Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. Directions and a map, along with additional information about Tribute to Woodstock, may be found at www.tribute2woodstock.com.

McHenry County is a short drive northwest of Chicago, bordered on the north by Wisconsin, and on the south by I-90. The Fox River winds down from the Chain of Lakes through the towns on the eastern side of the county, while country roads meander the western side.

To turn your Woodstock experience into a great McHenry County weekend getaway, throw in a restaurant or two, an affordable hotel or cozy bed-and-breakfast and some interesting specialty shops. For information abot lodging, dining and shopping, phone the McHenry County Convention & Visitors Bureau toll-free at 888-363-6177 or log on to www.VisitMcHenryCounty.com.

from the Aug 12-18, 2009 issue