New, returning events bring Sounds of Summer fun
Trending
MARSHALL -- All the fun of Marshall's free community festival is back -- and this year, Sounds of Summer is returning to its old grounds near Saratoga Street. Festival organizers said live concerts and other events will take place next to The Splash, Marshall's newly-opened aquatic center.
"It's been a long time coming," said Brock Klaith of the Sounds of Summer organizing committee. Last summer, the festival temporarily moved downtown while aquatic center construction was taking place. Now, he said, "We're kind of excited to highlight The Splash," in addition to Sounds of Summer's main events.
Klaith said key parts of Sounds of Summer, like live music performances, family-friendly fun and the grand festival parade will all be returning. Headlining a concert on Aug. 22 will be Viva Knievel, with opening act Maiden Dixie.
Some popular Sounds of Summer events from last year are also making a return, like the "Battle of the Badges" between the Marshall Fire Department and Marshall Police. Firefighters and police officers will be competing on the softball field at Marshall's Amateur Sports Complex.
"It was a really big success last year. The community enjoyed getting to see those guys outside of their working hours," Klaith said of the game.
The first pitch of the softball game will be at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 19. Spectators at the event can also enjoy a meal deal by the Hitching Post and a beer garden, with the proceeds going to support Marshall youth athletics.
On Thursday, Aug. 20, Lyon County Relay for Life will be holding its annual event at the Sounds of Summer grounds. The evening will include food, a live auction and music by Broken Oak, as well as a luminary lighting ceremony remembering people who have been affected by cancer.
The annual Family Fun Night sponsored by Schwan's will be held on Friday at the festival grounds, Klaith said. The popular event includes food vendors, as well as activities and attractions geared toward all ages. Some of the attractions will include inflatables, a Touch-a-Truck display and the Ninja Anywhere obstacle course. Ninja Anywhere requires a waiver to participate.
There will also be live music at Family Fun Night, Klaith said. Performances by the Singing Q's and the White Keys will round out the evening.
Saturday, Aug. 22, will be a big day for Sounds of Summer. Community events start bright and early with the Action - Sounds of Summer pickleball tournament, and the Rotary Pancake Breakfast at the Marshall fire hall.
Festivities Saturday morning will also feature events at Camden State Park. The Camden Cruise Bike Ride will be making a full 23-mile loop from The Bike Shop in Marshall to the state park, and back. The free event will follow regional bike trails.
At Camden, the Sioux Falls Area Running Club will be holding its second annual Camden State Park trail race event. Runners will head out on three, seven and 10-mile races along trails inside the state park.
Klaith said one new event on Saturday will be the Sounds of Summer Mimosa Mile. The Mimosa Mile will be a way for adults to have fun and visit Marshall businesses.
"You get seven or eight free mimosas or mock-mosas," spaced out at participating businesses, Klaith said. The event will wrap up with a post-party and prize drawing at the Marshall Gambler before the Sounds of Summer Parade starts downtown.
Festivities will continue after the parade, including a hot dog and hamburger fundraiser by the Marshall Fire Department, the Marshall Rotary rubber duck races at Memorial Park, and a pedal tractor pull. Live music starts at 5 p.m. with performances by T & A Show, followed by Maiden Dixie and Viva Knievel.
The festival will come to a close on Sunday, Aug. 23, with events like a community praise service at the festival grounds. Several Marshall churches come together to hold the service, Klaith said.
It's been exciting to be able to offer a free, family-friendly festival in Marshall for the past 19 years, Klaith said. But it's something that could never happen without a lot of community partnerships, and local sponsors.
"We'd like to thank our sponsors, and our community," Klaith said.