Everyone is ready for spring and summer warm days and the release of the schedule for the Rand Park Pavilion helps remind everyone that it’s just around the corner.
The schedule stretches from spring into the fall with a variety of acts set to go. The first show is set for 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 6. It will feature the Keokuk Middle School and High School Jazz Bands. The show is being sponsored by the Keokuk Music Boosters.
A second May show at the venue will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 20. The Joyful Noise Piano Studio recital will be held there, sponsored by Christina Boltz.
Moving into the summer months, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, Troublesome Ridge will bring Bluegrass music to echo through Rand Park that day. The band has been together since 2014 and play traditional and modern Bluegrass music, according to its Facebook page. This show is sponsored by the Rand Park Pavilion Commission.
A gospel worship night will take place starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 17. It is sponsored by Ben Hendricksmeyer and Music Ministries – Church of the Full Gospel.
On Friday, June 23, the Relay for Life will be in Rand Park.
The next day, Saturday, June 24, the Juneteenth Celebration will be in the park and the KARE and New Bethel Church sponsored event generally has some musical entertainment to go with it.
The Rand Park Pavilion will sponsor the show on Saturday, July 8 when Same Day Fire Company will take the pavilion stage at 7 p.m. The rock band plays favorites that many will enjoy. This show is sponsored by the Rand Park Pavilion Commission.
Some talented musicians out of Fort Madison will be next, with Garrett-Hardy playing at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 15. This show is sponsored by the Rand Park Pavilion Commission.
July continues to be packed with entertainment at the Pavilion, when the very next weekend, on July 22, Big Guitars & G Strings will perform. The band is ready to rock and perform various favorites from the 60s-90s and beyond. This show is sponsored by the Rand Park Pavilion Commission.
The pavilion continues to rock into August when on Saturday, Aug. 12, Jukebox Reloaded takes the stage. If you want to see a band with a horn section, this is the one. It lends itself to playing hits from Huey Lewis and the News and Chicago. This show is sponsored by the Rand Park Pavilion Commission.
As we start to think, “Oh, no, here comes fall again,” the music continues.
At 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9, the Sprucells will perform. The area band performs chart toppers from today going all the way back to the 1960s. It is sponsored by the Rand Park Pavilion Commission and Weichert Realtors – The Peevler Team.
Wrapping up the season at the pavilion this year will be local favorite the Bullis Rutter Big Band. They will play at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24. This show is sponsored by the Keokuk Community Fine Arts Council.
As this is an outdoor venue, weather sometimes plays a part in the shows, and causes some cancellations. If a show has to be called off, the pavilion commission does its best to reschedule the bands to a later date.
Shows are free, though donations are always accepted and appreciated. Bring a lawn chair and come enjoy the shows.