There are so many reasons why people enjoy the Hodag Country Music Festival each year.

Probably the biggest reason, however, is that fans are united with their favorite country music stars.

The relationship between the stars and their fans is a unique one.

"For us to show up and have as many people come to shows as possible. It's an honor," said Country Music Artist Zac Brown for the Zac Brown Band.

Other performers wouldn’t trade their relationship with fans for anything else.

"It's really great because there's nothing like an audience when there's a crowd that big," said Country Music Artist Julianne Hough, who is making her first appearance at the event.

"The festivals are always so much fun because you get to see how many fans there are out there in support of you, and not only you, but the other artists that are there,” said Hough.

Hough, who is best known for her successful stint on the popular show ‘Dancing With the Stars’ told News Channel Seven that she prefers to entertain her country music fans over the glory of the dance floor.

"To me, dancing is definitely great for the person [who is dancing], but I feel like it's a little more selfish, you can't interact with the fans, you can't actually touch them and you can't have them dancing with you,” said Hough. “With the music, you can see people singing along with the same words you are."

And of course, there's only one way to describe fans' feelings about seeing their favorite artists perform on the big stage.

"It's really cool, I'm really excited," said Andrea Sieg of Minocqua, who is a fan of Hough and The Zac Brown Band. “It’s great to see how they are when they’re not behind the camera.”

The Zac Brown Band can thank one of their songs for another fan's admiration.

"I love their song Chicken Fried," said Sierra Swan of Wisconsin Rapids.

"I knew it had the possibility to be a big, American song, but, the fact of what it's done and how it's gotten to be there it's a bit surprising," said Brown.

Brown believes that his band has a connection with their fans.

“We're giving everything we have and trying to be the best musicians we can for them [fans]," said Brown.

Both The Zac Brown Band and Julianne Hough performed in front of thousands of adoring fans earlier this afternoon.