MUSCATINE, Iowa–As Riverside Park emerges after this spring’s flooding, Muscatine residents already feel excited about having it clean and open for the first Almost Friday Fest of the year. Along with the signature elements people have enjoyed for the past four years, Almost Friday Fest will have new additions to give everyone new ways to celebrate as Keep Muscatine Beautiful continues working towards building a riverfront amphitheater.
Following the format first established in 2019, Almost Friday Fests will take place the fourth Thursday of the month on May 25, June 22, July 27, Aug. 24, and Sept. 28. Each event will feature a winning combination of live music, kids activities, and food and drink vendors. Free to attend, money raised through certain concessions will help build a Riverside Park amphitheater to improve future Almost Friday Fests and other outdoor musical, dance, and theatre performances.
New this year, Keep Muscatine Beautiful, the organization that hosts Almost Friday Fest, will partner with the League of United Latin America Citizens of Muscatine (LULAC) to host Almost Fiesta Fest June 22. With authentic Latin music played by the band Latin Swing Factor and other activities such as making paper flowers with the Muscatine Art Center or seeing a quinceanera fashion show, attendees will have a fantastic evening celebrating the rich Latin traditions alive in Muscatine today.
To mark other exciting events throughout the summer, Keep Muscatine Beautiful has added several other Fests for folks to attend. July 4, Almost Fireworks Fest will bring the band Kings & Associates, visiting the United States from Australia to Riverside Park to provide rocking Fourth of July entertainment before the evening Muscatine Symphony Orchestra concert and fireworks.
Children and adults alike enjoying a previous Almost Friday Fest. Photo by Discover Muscatine staff.
Later in July, Soccer Search Friday Fest will welcome people from across the country to attend the College Search soccer event to kick back and relax at the riverfront to the sounds of Code 415. The following day, Keep Muscatine Beautiful will bring in another band for RAGBRAI riders to enjoy as they pass through Muscatine on the way to their final destination in Davenport.
September will also feature three Fests in one weekend, with Oktobrew Eve with Monica Austin Sept. 29 and the third annual Oktobrew Fest Sept. 30, following the month’s regular Almost Friday Fest Sept. 28 featuring the Mud Dogs.
This spring, Keep Muscatine Beautiful has started working with the City of Muscatine to conduct a feasibility study for the amphitheater project and develop a final budget. Once they determine the cost of the structure, they will begin fundraising in earnest to make it happen.
A series of events unlike any others held in Muscatine, Chris Boar, one of Keep Muscatine Beautiful’s founders, hopes to see many people gather to socialize, unwind, and have fun while moving Muscatine one step closer to having its amphitheater. ” I always enjoy seeing the community come out and enjoy our beautiful riverfront and support our events,” said Boar. She encourages everyone, but especially those who have never attended an Almost Friday Fest, to come and give them a try this season. “The events are fun and free for the whole family,” she emphasized.
