Rhythm on the Rails

PHOTO COURTESY OF SHAKOPEE CHAMBER

Bringing music to downtown

5 things to know about this year’s Shakopee concert series

Rhythm on the Rails is returning to Shakopee this summer with live music and additional fun activities for the whole family. Located on Lewis Street in downtown Shakopee, the free concert series kicks off June 22 and ends on Aug. 3. The concerts take place from 6-9 p.m. on Wednesday nights.

Here are five things to look forward to at this year’s Rhythm on the Rails:

1. LIVE MUSIC

This year’s Rhythm on the Rails has expanded to six nights instead of five. Heather Proskey, the Shakopee Chamber’s main street and special events director, said this extra night has been added due to a high level of interest from the community. The concert series is bringing in headliners from around the region.  June 22: Arch Allies  June 29: Gear Daddies  July 13: The Crown Jewels  July 20: The Rolling Stoners  July 27: Free Fallin’  Aug. 3: Fabulous Armadillos Party Band featuring Chris Hawkey

FILE PHOTO

Allie Doepke twirls around in her dress at Rhythm on the Rails in 2019.

2. FOOD AND DRINK VENDORS

Many popular local restaurants and breweries will be serving up food and drinks at the concerts. O’Brien’s Public House, Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant, Turtle’s Bar & Grill and Cookie Dough Bliss will have food trucks in the Lewis Street lot.

A beer tent will also be featured, with Shakopee Brewhall and

Heather Proskey, with the Shakopee Chamber, said Rhythm on the Rails has brought in around 4,000 attendees each night in recent years.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SHAKOPEE CHAMBER

Rhythm on the Rails

Location: Lewis Street, downtown Shakopee Hours: Wednesday evenings, 6-9 p.m. Cost: Free Info: shakopee.org/rhythm-on-the-rails/

Badger Hill Brewing providing drinks. Food and drink tickets will be available on location.

3. FUN FOR ALL AGES

The Lewis Street lot will be the location for a Kids Zone for kids to partake in fun games and activities. Proskey said a big part of Rhythm on the Rails is making the concert series entertaining for all. “We make it fun and accessible for everybody,” she said. “Everything we do has a little element for everyone.”

4. FARMERS MARKET

A farmers market is being added to the festivities this year. It will take place each Wednesday of the concert series from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Lewis Street lot. The market will include vendors for produce, meats, cheeses and more. A coffee food truck will also be featured.

5. SUPPORTING DOWNTOWN

With multiple downtown organizations sponsoring the concert series, Proskey said attending Rhythm on the Rails is a great way to support downtown Shakopee. “Downtown Shakopee is historic,” she said. “We want people to come into our downtown and see all the amazing businesses and restaurants we have here.”

Proskey added that with shops open and the farmers market held ahead of the concerts, she hopes people will spend much of their day seeing what the downtown area has to offer.