CONTRIBUTED PHOTO — Members of the So Hard Band — from left to right, bassist Ron Ohrt, drummer Kim Ferneau and singer/guitarist Art Hanford — will be performing at the third annual Sand Lake Open Mic Jamboree beginning at noon on Sunday at the county park on the east edge of Marshalltown. The band has recently added Craig Harabedian as their new saxophonist, and this year, the Jamboree will benefit the Marshalltown Youth Foundation’s instrument lending library for the first time.

Anyone interested in enjoying the unusually warm fall weather and hear a wide variety of tunes from local musicians — or maybe even play a few themselves — should make plans to head out to the Sand Lake Recreation Area on the east edge of Marshalltown for an open mic jamboree from noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Art Hanford, the singer and guitarist of the So Hard Band — which includes himself, bassist Ron Ohrt, drummer Kim Ferneau and recently added saxophonist Craig Harabedian — is heading up the event, now in its third year. This iteration, however, will be the first time that the jamboree benefits a charitable cause: specifically, the Marshalltown Youth Foundation’s (MYF’s) instrument lending library for students in need through a free-will donation offering.

“The MYF lending library is the only one in the state of Iowa. We manage a collection of about 250 instruments. Every student in the Marshalltown school system who would like to join the band has that opportunity. In addition to the benefits to students and their families, the school system also benefits. We have a vibrant music program here in the Marshalltown schools,” said Brian Cox of the MYF board. “We will be conducting an instrument drive later this fall. We would be pleased if community members who may have an instrument that has not been in use would consider donating it to MYF.”

Hanford credited Phil Shipley and Karla Sperry with the idea for a fundraiser to help connect kids with musical instruments, and he worked with Nancy Vellinga Burke to organize this year’s event and make an arrangement with the MYF. The So Hard Band will kick off the music in the shelter area at noon, and the Marshall County Brass Quintet is scheduled at 4 p.m. Otherwise, the mic is open to performers who wish to sign up — acoustic, electric and in-between — and Hanford is expecting a strong turnout with fellow musicians from both the Des Moines area and Waterloo/Cedar Falls expected to make appearances. He’s also hoping for more of an improvisational jam hour toward the end of the night.

“It should be a good mix and variety of stuff,” he said.

The So Hard Band will provide a PA system, amps, microphones and a drum set, and brat burgers, hot dogs, cookies and bottled water have all been donated for the occasion with Sperry planning to grill them onsite. The deck holds 65 to 70 people, and there is also room for additional chairs.

Most of all, the organizers are hopeful that music lovers will come out to enjoy a beautiful day and support a good cause in the process.

“Ultimately we are doing this as we love music and have a legacy to carry on. The opening lyric to a song I recently wrote says it all. ‘When the curtain comes down, did you do your best, to leave a better world, for all the rest?'” Hanford asked.