Summer dreams

The Medford Kiwanis Club is excited to announce the schedule for the 2025 Kiwanis Music in the Park concert series including some familiar names as well as new acts.

The concert series is held at the Tombstone Pizza Bandshell in the Medford City Park on Thursday evenings from May 29 to August 28. Concessions open at 6 p.m. and the music begins at 6:30 p.m.

“Last year we received feedback with people asking for an earlier start time and we listened,” said Kiwanian Mike Shiffler, one of the organizers for the series.

In setting the 2025 Concert Series, or-

See KIWANIS on page 4 ganizers sought to give a wide selection of options from classic rock to classical music and from bluegrass standards to dance anthems with a bit of country in the mix.

The series kicks on May 29 with the return of Wagon Gang with their mix of classic country favorites. Abby-Bank is the night sponsor for this performance. The Cravings Food Truck will be at the park for this performance.

On June 5, Gator will be performing. This Eau Clairebased performer offers everything from Sinatra to AC/ DC.

On June 12 Mark Wayne of Tomahawk will share his steel guitar skills with classic country.

On June 19, Promise Quartet will share their messages of hope and grace. Promise Quartet is a Southern Gospel quartet known for their uplifting and hope-filled songs. They feature a blend of traditional and contemporary Southern Gospel and Country music, which appeals to a wide range of listeners.

Things get rocking on June 26 at Ember brings their dance-drive renditions of popular rock, pop and country hits. Stronger Version Fitness is the night sponsor for this performance. The Cravings Food Truck will be at the park for this performance.

On July 3-4 there will be a number of groups providing entertainment on the Tombstone Bandshell stage. Tom Burt will open things up with his guitar and vocals in the early evening. Things will get rocking with Knock Point’s pop and rock classics later in the evening on July 3. On the afternoon of July 4, the Medford Community Band will perform on the stage and in the evening before the fireworks Roger Lee will share some classics.

The party continues on July 10 with emerging country singer/songwriter and military veteran KC Cameron. The Minnesota based musician will be playing songs from his new album “Forty” and timeless arrangements with sharp, poignant musical storytelling. Jensen, Scott, Grunewald and Shiffler law firm is the night sponsor for this performance.

On July 17, 30 Minute Difference will make their return to the Medford City Park. “This was one of the most popular groups to perform in the 2024 series and we are excited to have them back,” said Kiwanian Brian Wilson, one of the series organizers. They are a young band that brings rock and popular covers. The Star News is the night sponsor for this performance. The Cravings Food Truck will be at the park for this performance.

On July 24, there will be a double-header night as the Medford Community Band opens the night followed by the contemporary rock/pop cover band Downtime. Taylor Credit Union is the night sponsor for these performances.

On July 31, acoustic soloist Shawn Kubiak of Green Bay will be performing a selection of acoustic hits. Abby-Bank is the night sponsor for this performance.

On August 7, the series turns to bluegrass with The Ottersons/ Bluegrass Round-Up playing bluegrass favorites.

On August 14, the music series takes a break and encourages everyone to come to the park for Medford Area Chamber of Commerce Parkfest with The Glam Band performing.

On August 21, Reunited will come from the Phillips area to perform “Classics with a Voice.” Stronger Version Fitness the night sponsor for this performance.

The 2025 music series wraps up the season on August 28 with Fort Wilderness featuring the talent of local Sean Porten as part of a three- piece band that plays country and bluegrass covers. The Medford Curling Club is the night sponsor for this performance. The Cravings Food Truck will be at the park for this performance.

Organizers are also working to increase food options for the 2025 series.

“We are excited that we will have Cravings committed to being at the series for a number of weeks,” said Kiwanian Journey Probst, a series organizer.

“We are also looking to offer the opportunity to work with other nonprofits and service groups to offer food options in the park at the series this summer,” Probst said. People or groups interested should contact us at kiwanismusicseries@ gmail.com or call 715-465-0333. The Kiwanis Music in the Park series could not happen without the support of generous community sponsors. “We are thrilled and thankful for the support to help bring in these talented performers,” Wilson said, noting there are still some night sponsor opportunities available for the 2025 season.

Series sponsors for 2025 are Hemer-Pickerign Funeral Service and Thrivent Financial. Supporting sponsors are the City of Medford Hotel/Motel Room Fund and the Weather Shield Employee LITE Foundation. Media partners for the series are The Star News and K99/WIGM radio.

“Their support allows us to bring high quality performers to the Medford community,” Wilson said.

In addition to bringing great music to the area, the Medford Kiwanis sees a value in providing the free music series as a way for community members to come together and share a good time.

“In a time when society is increasingly becoming fractured and isolated, it is important to have opportunities to bring people together,” Probst said.