Live and Local returns June 15 at Grimes Farm
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The summertime Live and Local concert series returns for the season June 15 at the Leonard Grimes Memorial Amphitheater at Grimes Farm. All four shows will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
"We're constantly looking for ways to get people outside. And not everyone is a hunter or fishermen, so the concerts bring a whole new audience out, and they're family-friendly," Emily Herring, director of the Marshall County Conservation Board, said. "We want to get people exploring and enjoying our parks."
Free and open to the public, the concerts also allow a chance to connect with potential donors, supporters and volunteers.
Bob Dorr, an Iowa blues icon, will perform at the June 15 concert, and is a returning favorite. On hand will be food trucks by Ma Brown's Cookies & More, Clare's Tenderloins and Comal Kaxi.
Then on July 20, Royce Johns, new to Live and Local, will bring his classic country sound to those in attendance. Magoo's Pizza, Tacos La Cruz and Starry Grove Sweet Treats will have food available to purchase.
Aug. 10 will feature music by Flash in a Pan, a bluegrass band, also new to the event. Food available will be from Tacos La Cruz, Pitchfork and Scratch Cupcakery.
The final concert on Sept. 14 will be an evening of girl power from Dueling Fiddles + Band. The duo features violinists Hanna Wolle and Geneviève Salamone whose paths first crossed while members of the Des Moines Symphony. Comal Kaxi, Clare's Tenderloins and Lillie Mae will be the food vendors.
Herring noted that while the Dueling Fiddles have performed at Grimes Farm in the past, this is the first time the pair will be accompanied by four other female musicians.
Planning for the concerts begins the November before -- booking the bands and configuring the budget.
"We try to have our bands in place by January, so we can advertise them in our spring newsletter," she said.
The event is put on by the Friends of Marshall County Conservation with additional sponsorship by the Ann C. Keyser Charitable Trust and members of the Friends group.
Herring said construction of a campground at Green Castle Recreation Area would soon commence.
"We will be putting that out to bid and the Friends are helping to support that," she said. "They've helped with some improvements to Three Bridges Park. They donated money towards the Timmons Grove bathroom/shower house, too, so they're an important part of what we do."
Donations from the concerts went towards installing electrical posts for food trucks to set up shop on the grounds -- so these entities don't have to rely on generators.
"Last year, there was some noise with the generators, so now the food trucks can hook up to electrical outlets and not interrupt the music," she added.
In the case of inclement weather, the concerts will go on as scheduled but at an indoor location. Check social media for updates and cancellations.
Herring, who assumed the directorship role in January after previously serving as naturalist, said she wants visitors to take advantage of the trail system, which is open daily from sunrise to sunset. The Grimes Farm Nature Center houses educational displays for families and school groups.
She said the nature playscape is one of the most popular attractions at Grimes Farm. It features slides, swings, water fountains and more. Once you climb to the top of the observation tower, named in honor of Mildred Grimes, you can view the Linn Creek River Valley and see Grimes Farm from a different angle. Open year-round, Herring said there's something for everyone to enjoy at the park.
For more information, Grimes Farm may be reached at: 641-752-5490.