Lady Antebellum, Big & Rich and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will take the stage at Merritt’s festival grounds this summer as headliners at the Rockin’ River Music Festival.

Organizers of the four-day country music festival announced Monday some of Nashville’s finest will join fellow Tennessee-based platinum-selling solo artist Dierks Bentley and make their way north this summer for the festival’s first year in Merritt.

Also on the bill is long-running California-based classic folk group Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

A few Canadians are slated to round out the bill, including Haligonian troubadour Ridley Bent and rising star MacKenzie Porter of Medicine Hat, Alta.

The festival is relocating from the site it outgrew over six years in Mission.

Last year’s attendance over the weekend totalled 26,000 people.diers_bentley_web

Rockin’ River organizer Kenny Hess has said Merritt’s reputation as a country music festival site, its designation as the Country Music Capital of Canada, and its proximity to major B.C. highways makes Merritt a natural choice for a location that can accommodate the expanding festival.

Rockin’ River begins July 30 and runs until Aug. 2.