Matt Perkins of Marshalltown died Sept. 25, 2019 in a car accident that left his mother Willi Perkins in critical condition — with physical and emotional wounds that remain to this day. Nearly six years later, the Perkins family is honoring his legacy in the form of special shades that now grace the Leonard Grimes Memorial Amphitheater at Grimes Farm. The shades will be dedicated Thursday during intermission at the first Live & Local concert of the season, featuring Bob Dorr & Friends from 6 to 8 p.m.

“We’ve offered the concerts for quite a few years now, but the theater doesn’t offer a lot of shade, and we’ve always been restricted — we’d love to plant more trees, but there is a septic system and a geothermal unit all in that area, and so tree roots are not appreciated,” said Marshall County Conservation Board (MCCB) Director Emily Herring. “It’s been something on the radar for over three years.”

Matt’s father, and Willi’s husband, Dave Perkins, reached out to Grimes Farm with an idea, and first spoke with then-MCCB Director Mike Stegmann.

“When our boys were small, back when Diane Pixler was the naturalist here, we took advantage of the activities that the conservation center had to offer. Later Matt and I attended a few of the music programs here, though fewer than I wish I could claim. So after we lost Matt, and in keeping with his spirit to give back to the community, I hit upon the idea of adding some shade to the amphitheater for the benefit of both the performers and the audience,” Perkins said.

Matt was an amateur musician who could play piano by ear and in his youth played five instruments. Perkins noted that while Matt worked as an over the road trucker, most people in Marshalltown knew him as “the ice cream man.” As a hobby, he used to sell ice cream novelties out of a trailer that he pulled behind a pickup truck.

“He really enjoyed interacting with the people doing this and he tried to inspire the entrepreneurial spirit that made him successful. Sometimes if a kid was short of change to buy something, Matt would give it to the kid in exchange for washing the windshield of his truck. Matt also believed strongly in buying locally and supporting his hometown,” Perkins said.

Herring reached out to Emily Naylor at Bolton & Menk who helped them create the shades, while the Perkinses covered the cost.

“We looked and looked and could not find where shades were being used in a vertical form to provide shade, because our big sun problem is when it’s starting to set, especially for the Live & Local concerts,” Herring added.

The design process took time and patience, she noted.

“I think we were able to come up with a compromise solution to the sun problem as well as a structure that will last and provide shade for the amphitheater,” she said. “It’s nice that they’re finally up and can provide people comfort outdoors to enjoy the music.”

Bob Dorr is a returning fan favorite, who plays songs in a blues/soul/rockabilly/reggae/Creole/rhythm. He has performed for more than 40 years and has twice been inducted into Iowa’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame.

Comal Kaxi, Clare’s Tenderloins, Sno-2-Go and Pie Lady food trucks will be on hand.

The July 17 concert will feature the music of Crowfoot Rakes, with Standing Hampton performing on Aug. 21, followed by Royce Johns on Sept. 18.

The Live & Local concerts are sponsored each season by the Ann C. Keyser Charitable Trust and supportive members of the Friends of Marshall County Conservation.

“This concert (Thursday) will be the first time we’ve actually had someone different fund the concert, the Perkins,” Herring said. “Last year, the Friends group donated $25,000 toward the new playground down at Green Castle, so any income that comes from the concerts, goes back to Marshall County Conservation.”

For more information on the concerts, contact Grimes Farm at 641-752-5490 or mccb@marshallcountyia.gov.