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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Cook Music in the Park returns

Marcus White
Posted 6/27/19

COOK - Every Wednesday it’s a party in the park here. The annual Music in the Park series is now underway with three months-worth of music on tap at the city park on River Street.

“It’s a …

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Cook Music in the Park returns

Posted

COOK - Every Wednesday it’s a party in the park here. The annual Music in the Park series is now underway with three months-worth of music on tap at the city park on River Street.

“It’s a great social event,” co-organizer Shawna Kishel said. “The music is always good; there is something for everybody.”

Since 2015, local businesses under the direction of the Northwoods Friends of the Arts, who took over from the Chamber of Commerce, have sponsored evening concerts to highlight local artists from around the area.

“We have everything from country to rock n’ roll to show tunes,” co-organizer Eric Pedersen said. “It’s a wide variety of musicians. Many are local favorites with a few new names thrown into the mix. All family-friendly that will cater to everybody.”

Concerts begin at 6 p.m. and go until 8:30 p.m. Food concessions are provided by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, of Alango, which serves up summer favorites of burgers, brats, chips and drinks.

Pederson said the concert series was originally funded through grants but when businesses saw how the events drew visitors to town from around the region, they quickly started asking what they could do to help. Kishel said many of the sponsors come to the organizers looking to pitch in any way they can.

Artists who play are given a small fee for their time as well as vouchers for free food at the concession stand.

Under direction of the NWFA, Kishel said the event has augmented the organization’s mission of not only displaying visual artists at its River Street gallery, but also showcasing live entertainment that is homegrown in northern St. Louis County.

Sponsors to the event include the Cook Lions Club, Cook VFW Post 1757 and VFW Auxiliary Post 1757, Cook Timberwolves Snowmobile Club, Cook Fire Association, and Lisa Hyppa Consulting.

There is no cost to attend the concerts, however, free-will donations are collected for those interested in giving support.

Musical lineups are not yet finalized for most of the summer. “Everybody’s Uncle” is currently set to perform on Wednesday, July 3, playing classic oldies and cool country music.

Information on upcoming concerts can be found on the NWFA Facebook page.

In the event of rain, concerts are moved indoors to the Cook VFW.