Photos by Mike Lamb Fireworks over downtown Marshall combined with music by Time Machine entertained a large crowd in downtown Marshall for Sounds of Summer and the 150th anniversary celebration.

MARSHALL — The Marshall community held two celebrations in one over the weekend: the annual Sounds of Summer festival, and Marshall’s 150th anniversary.

There was no shortage of things to do, and combined with some good weather in the evenings, it brought out the crowds, event organizers said.

“It was definitely a very good, fun weekend for everybody,” said Brock Klaith of the Sounds of Summer committee. “It seemed like everything going on had a good crowd.”

The turnout for events on Friday and Saturday was estimated at around 2,000 people, Klaith said.

Organizers of some of the individual events Saturday also said turnout was strong. Marshall noon Rotary members said they sold 700 tickets for the rubber duck race on the Redwood River, and the Shades of the Past car club counted 86 vehicles at their Show and Shine event.

“It was a record for us,” said Wayne Mack of Shades of the Past. “In previous years, the most we had was about 75.”

Weekend events included Sounds of Summer favorites like outdoor concerts, featuring Sweet Siren, Roxbury and Time Machine. But the sesquicentennial celebrations also included a family event with kids’ activities on Friday night, a performance by illusionist Jett Skrien, and a fireworks display Saturday night.

“I thought the weekend was extremely successful,” said Lauren Deutz, Marshall EDA director and a member of the 150th anniversary committee. “Our committee thought it was important to find events that both celebrated the city and brought our community together.”

“Partnering with Sounds of Summer allowed us to provide a weekend full of activities, and we appreciated their resources and expertise in the planning process,” she said.

Lots of people in the crowd over the weekend said they went to several different events, from the Pickers Paradise flea market, to the illusionist show and the Sounds of Summer parade.

“I liked the parade,” said Nevi Lugar. Lugar was also having a good time at the kids’ pedal tractor pull, where she advanced to a pull-off for the four-year-old age group.

Nevi’s mom Christy Lugar said their family were enjoying the weekend together with friends from Wisconsin.

“It’s something that brings people to town,” she said of the festival.

Rod Barstad, of Watertown, S.D., said Saturday was his first time taking part in the Show and Shine event.

“They had a great crowd. The parade was insane,” Barstad said.

“The parade route was full of people all the way from the start,” agreed Jane Wilkison. She and her husband Rod were driving at the lead of the classic car parade.

Klaith said the turnout at this week’s Sounds of Summer events was good to see.

“It has kept building every year,” Klaith said. It said something about the local community and businesses, that they would keep coming together, he said.

“We want to thank the community and all the sponsors,” Klaith said. “Without them, this would never have happened.

While Marshall’s 150th anniversary was a unique event, Sounds of Summer will return.

“We’re looking forward to seeing everyone in 2023,” Klaith said.