Minnesota State Patrol conducted more than 900 stops during WeFest 2023

(DETROIT LAKES) — The Minnesota State Patrol says it conducted more than 900 traffic stops during the WeFest country music festival last week at the Soo Pass Ranch near Detroit Lakes, Minn.

According to Sgt. Jesse Grabow, the Minnesota State Patrol provided extra traffic enforcement around the Becker County and lakes area this past weekend, as well as providing traffic control and assisting Detroit Lakes with traffic congestion with the large event happening in the region.

The Minnesota State Patrol says 943 traffic stops happened over a five-day period, beginning August 2 and running through August 6.

The stops included: 442 tickets and warning for speed contacts; 111 seat belt tickets and warnings; 59 distracted driving tickets and warnings; 43 citations for driving after revocation, driving under suspension or driving after cancelation; 18 DWI arrests; 17 minor consume citations; six warrant arrests; five child restraint tickets and warnings; and four speed stops greater than 100 miles per hour. The statistics do not include any activity from the Becker County Sheriff’s Office, Grabow said.

“There appeared to be a lot more people in attendance than in the year’s past increasing traffic activity,” Grabow said. “We want to see everyone have fun and celebrate responsibly.”

The 2023 WeFest Country Music Festival was the 40th year of the celebration.