T-R FILE PHOTO An evening of music at an outdoor concert, to benefit the renovation of the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, will take place outside the building (along State Street) the evening of July 6. During the tornado, 45 children and counselors at the summer day camp were inside the coliseum when the tornado ripped the roof off the building. No one was injured.

An evening of music at an outdoor concert, to benefit the renovation of the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, will take place outside the building (along State Street) the evening of July 6.

Marshalltown Mayor Joel Greer said the goal of this event is to raise at least $150,000 to $200,000 toward the $1.35 million fundraising effort, with renovations expected to cost $3.6 million. He hopes the event will draw 2,500-5,000 attendees.

The concert’s headliner is country music singer Jason Brown as part of his Along the Way Tour.

Gates open at 4 p.m. and tickets cost $15. Those 12 and under get in free. Local entertainment will begin at 4:45 p.m., followed by the opening act, Neil Hewitt. Brown will take the stage at 7 p.m. He will be followed by a performance by Exit 185, who will play from 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Parks and Rec Recreation Supervisor Jenni Hart has met with Brown several times for planning purposes.

“He is a very down to earth, kind person with a heart for Iowa,” Hart said.

City Administrator Jessica Kinser praised Hart’s efforts in helping this concert to take shape.

“We were hoping that private contributions would lead the way (for fundraising), then this opportunity to hold a concert came our way,” Kinser said.

Food and beverage vendors will be on hand.

“(Vendors) have to pay a fee to be a part of it and are being asked to give back some of their proceeds as well,” Kinser said. “We really feel like we have an event that’s coming together where everybody who’s going to be there will be in support of the coliseum.”

At Monday’s city council meeting, councilors turned down a request via resolution by the Marshalltown-based River Brewing Co. to allow open containers on public ways and expanding its outdoor service area for the concert. The vote was 3-3 and required a majority to have passed.

Tickets may be purchased at the following entities:

• Parks and Recreation Office, 10 W. State St., 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

• Finance Office, 24 N. Center St., 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

• Hellberg’s Jewelers, 13 W. Main St., 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Tickets can also be purchased online at www.primeseats.com. You are welcome to bring folding chairs. Seating is not provided. Volunteers to help with the concert are needed.

During the July 19, 2018 tornado, 45 children and counselors at the summer day camp were inside the coliseum when the tornado ripped the roof off the building. While no one was injured, being without the facility has hampered Parks and Rec.

“The coliseum is crucial to our recreation programs. We have programs that have been displaced and we are working with what we have. The coliseum will continue to be a hub for recreation programs for people of all ages and abilities. We are excited to get the renovations going as we are planning to start some new programs after the renovations are complete,” Hart said.

Kinser said in addition to the sale of tickets, private donations are always welcome.

Donate directly to the coliseum at marshalltown-ia.gov/673/Veterans-Memorial-coliseum-Fundraising-C or mail a check to Veterans Memorial Coliseum Fund, 24 N. Center Street, Marshalltown, IA 50158.

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Contact Sara Jordan-Heintz

at 641-753-6611 or

sjordan@timesrepublican.com