Rolling Ridge

Overview:

From: DJ Mike H

Rolling Ridge is a new and beautiful barn out in St. Joseph, Minnesota. It is one of my favorite places to play due to the beauty and sound system of the venue. 

Load-in is pretty easy, you'll have to park out by the field where the ceremony would take place and then make a short walk to the barn in order to start loading everything in. You'll want to load all your gear into the barn and start setting up for the dance because they have a built in house system which goes throughout the entire venue, including the bar/cocktail area and the main barn. 

The ceremony takes place in a field, not far from the barn and you'll need to move a speaker and microphone to get set-up there.

So for cocktail hour, you can plug an iPod directly into their system and you're all set. It's kind of challenging to get enough volume on the microphone in the cocktail space to make an announcement for people to move to the barn, so I've always gone up to people and invited them to the barn. The staff will help, obviously. There is a guy in his mid-late twenties named Spencer who can help you with the sound system there.

For the Grand March, I would suggest using your own speakers and microphone. The microphone at the venue stops the music automatically when it's turned on, so you can't have a song playing and the microphone on at the same time. It's kind of weird. If you can't use your own speakers because of lack of space in the venue, turn off the microphone when you announce somebody so that the music starts again. 

For dinner, plug an iPod directly into their sound system. 

And for the dance, go ahead and rock the place with your speakers! It's an easy barn to play in for the dance and I've always had a great time there. Have fun!

Challenges:

It can be difficult to use a different sound system for cocktail/dinner than you're used to, but I found it very easy. Ask me for an iPod! 

There are multiple spaces to the venue, which can lead to people being in the bar area during the dance if they don't feel like dancing. That could pose a challenge in getting and keeping people on the dance floor. 

Extra Venue Call Questions:

Can I bring an iPod for the sound system?

Can I set-up my gear for the dance right when I get there?

Website:

http://www.rollingridgeevents.com

The Knot:

https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/rolling-ridge-new-barn-and-garden-venue-st-joseph-mn-875198