1. By Jason Rzucidlo

2. What is the Hoedown?  A three-day music festival  Known as the “World’s Largest Free Country Music Concert”  Includes food, fun, dancing, mechanical bull rides, shopping and more  For the entire family

3. History of the Hoedown  Began in 1983  Started as a one-day event  First stars included Hank Williams Jr., Tanya Tucker, The Kendals, Brenda Lee and Mel Tillis  Evolved into a three-day festival

4. History of the Hoedown  Some stars who played at the Hoedown and made it big are: Reba McEntire Sawyer Brown Lee Greenwood Travis Tritt Toby Keith

5. History of the Hoedown  Some stars who played at the Hoedown and made it big are: JoDee Messina Lonestar Dixie Chicks Montgomery Gentry SheDaisy

6. History of the Hoedown  Some stars who played at the Hoedown and made it big are: Rascal Flatts LeAnn Rimes Gretchen Wilson Big & Rich Buddy Jewell

7. Who plays the Hoedown?  Local bands are first  Newcomers follow  Established artists headline

8. When and Where?  Hart Plaza, along Detroit’s beautiful riverfront bordering Windsor, Ont.  The second weekend in May  May 13 - 14 - 15, 2005  From noon to 11 p.m. at night

9. Shopping Booths

10. Hart Plaza

11. Me and Trace Adkins

12. Me with Jessica Andrews

13. Me and SheDaisy

14. Me with Andy Griggs

15. Big & Rich, Kid Rock

16. Me with Buddy Jewell

17. A bird’s eye view..

18. A Crowded Fountain

19. Friday, May 13, 2005  Local bands TBA  Blue County  Katrina Elam  Kentucky Headhunters  Cowboy Troy  Jo Dee Messina

20. Saturday, May 14, 2005  Local bands TBA  Hot Apple Pie  Hanna and McEuen  Miranda Lambert  Mark Chesnutt  Julie Roberts  Tracy Lawrence  Gary Allan

21. Sunday, May 15, 2005  Local bands TBA  Colgate Country Showdown  Aaron Lines  Blaine Larson  Rebecca Lynn Howard  Billy Dean  Bret Michaels  Chris Cagle

22. What to expect  The average high is 71° for May 14  Mostly sunny  Bring sunglasses  Prepare to drink lots of water  Camera

23. 2005 Hoedown Sponsors

24. Complete Coverage