NEXT FESTIVAL TO ATTEND

FILE PHOTO

Concert Fun

Rhythm on the Rails returns to downtown Shakopee

BY ALYSSA HUGLEN

Rhythm on the Rails returns to Shakopee this summer with six nights of live music, food and family activities.

The concert series takes place from 6-9 p.m. on Wednesdays, beginning June 22 and ending on Aug. 3. The free concerts take place on Lewis Street in downtown Shakopee.

“We’ve kept all aspects of a concert series in mind and are really just making it a stressfree, affordable way for people to come out and have a good time,” said Heather Proskey, the Shakopee Chamber’s Main Street and special events director.

Rhythm on the Rails has expanded its season to six nights instead of the usual five. According to Proskey, high community engagement and interest led to an additional concert night being added.

“We saw close to 4,000 attendees a night last year, so the interest level of adding a sixth night was definitely there,” she said. “These are our highest attended concerts in past years, so we know that they’ll be successful, and the bands are excited about doing it again.”

This year’s Rhythm on the Rails concert headliners include Arch Allies, Gear Daddies, The Crown Jewels, The Rolling Stoners, Free Fallin’ and Fabulous Armadillos Party Band featuring Chris Hawkey.

Opening acts include Magic Carpet, Dresses with Pockets, Tony Williams, Muddcat Melby, Sawyer’s Dream and Nathan Hanson.

Beyond live music, Rhythm on the Rails will also feature an array of different local restaurants and brewery vendors. This year’s vendors include O’Brien’s Public House, Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant, Cookie Dough Bliss, Mr. Pig Stuff, Red’s Savoy Pizza, Kraz’d Footnatik, The Cave Cafe, Westy’s Shako Shack and Snack Shack.

A beer tent will also be featured with Shakopee Brewhall and Badger Hill Brewing providing drinks. Food and drink tickets will be available on location for guests to purchase.

Guests can also enjoy the downtown area for most of the day, with the Shakopee Farmers Market taking place in the Lewis Street lot right before Rhythm on the Rails, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Proskey said attending Rhythm on the Rails is a great way to support some local vendors and downtown Shakopee businesses as a whole. “Our downtown is unique and different and makes it feel like a hometown,” she said. “We have an enclosed footprint that we’re able to bring events to, close our streets and make it just an entire grand scheme of excitement, entertainment, energy, food, beverages and just enjoyable time.”

This enjoyable time goes beyond just entertaining adults. The Lewis Street lot will be the location for a Kids Zone for kids to enjoy a variety of free games and activities. Proskey said a big part of Rhythm on the Rails is making the concert series entertaining for visitors of all ages.

“We make it fun and accessible for everybody,” she said. “Everything we do has a little element for everyone.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF SHAKOPEE CHAMBER

Rhythm on the Rails

Rhythm on the Rails concerts will be held on select Wednesdays in June, July and August in Shakopee.

“... a stress-free, aff ordable way for people to come out and have a good time”

Heather Proskey Rhythm on the Rails

Location: Lewis Street, downtown Shakopee Hours: Wednesday evenings, 6-9 p.m.  June 22  June 29  July 13  July 20  July 27  Aug. 3 Cost: Free Website: shakopee.org/ rhythm-on-the-rails/