Community Program Specialist Paige Marschall had a full-circle moment this week, returning to the Hastings Area Rotary Club to reflect on a decade of programming at the Rotary Pavilion in Levee Park, the same group she first presented to after her inaugural year on the job.

“It’s pretty fun to see how it’s evolved over the years,” Marschall told the club, noting she’s been involved with the pavilion since the beginning. What started as a modest effort has grown into a signature piece of Hastings’ riverfront.

From concerts and movie nights to comedy shows and maker’s markets, the Rotary Pavilion has transformed into what Marschall called “the place to be.” Over the last 10 years, the park has become a community hub, drawing families, friends, and visitors from across the region. “It’s a vibrant focal point for events,” she said, crediting the space with building a welcoming atmosphere and a sense of civic pride.

In 2016, the city hosted 39 events with about 3,600 attendees. By comparison, this summer’s 56 events brought in nearly 10,000 people, averaging over 430 per event. Even with weather challenges and air quality concerns, Marschall said this year marked the program’s biggest leap in attendance yet.

The success hasn’t happened by accident. “We go through quite a long vetting process,” she said, explaining how the city receives dozens of talent inquiries each year. While bands with big followings don’t always get rebooked, acts that generate strong community feedback are more likely to return. Sourcing talent involves everything from reviewing online presence and sound quality to attending booking conferences and using AI-based search tools.

One of the most noticeable evolutions came in 2022, when the city added a maker’s market to its popular summer music nights. This summer, the series got a full rebrand as Music and Market, combining weekly concerts with over 20 vendors, a kids’ zone, and a rotating lineup of food trucks.

But food prices remain a concern, especially for families. “The average meal cost is about $15,” Marschall said. “If you’re a family of four, that’s $60.” Despite encouragement from the city, few food trucks have offered family meal deals. “We’re kind of missing that,” she added, acknowledging a need to better align with the event’s shifting demographic.

Marschall noted a growing mix of young families and older adults at events, driven by expanded offerings like the kids’ zone. She also pointed out the city’s open policy on alcohol in parks, though the biggest recurring question she hears remains, “Where’s the beer garden?”

From her perspective, the community is hungry for more. “We are always open to partnerships,” she said, encouraging Rotary members to collaborate on future events, fundraisers, or pilot ideas. “All of our events are partnerships.”

Despite the high energy, the program’s budget remains modest. Fees from private rentals help cover staff working nights and weekends but don’t generate revenue beyond basic maintenance. The pavilion itself is now over 10 years old, and while it’s still in good shape, upkeep like power washing limestone and restroom upgrades is ongoing. “It’s just the basics,” Marschall said.

Still, the impact has reached far beyond city limits. While most attendees come from within 30 miles, the park routinely draws people from Apple Valley, Coon Rapids, and even Forest Lake, some lured by buzz around tribute bands or tipped off by friends. “Why did they come here?” she asked. “Maybe a family member, maybe a date night. But they come.”

The takeaway for Marschall was clear. “The transformation of the riverfront into a thriving recreational space has been a testament to the power of community collaboration,” she said. And after 10 years, she still looks forward to what comes next.