OUT AND ABOUT

By Brian G. Schommer
Posted 5/4/23

If you have been down by the mighty Mississippi River in Hastings lately, you know he is rambling fast, and Old Man River is at a very high level.  The old saying of “inquiring minds want …

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OUT AND ABOUT

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If you have been down by the mighty Mississippi River in Hastings lately, you know he is rambling fast, and Old Man River is at a very high level.  The old saying of “inquiring minds want to know” sure relates to the throngs of folks seen daily checking out how much debris has been swept out way from up north.  If your curiosity gets to you and the trek to the riverfront hits your “out and about” plans, just be safe and start hoping that soon, the flood waters will begin to drop so that the vast number of activities to be held at the Hastings Area Rotary Pavilion will come to fruition.  What activities?  Well, we are so glad you asked.

                There are over 30 different events scheduled through Hastings Parks and Recreation to take place at the pavilion beginning Tuesday, June 6th with the Summer Kick Off from 5:30pm until 8pm.  The Kick-Off Party will feature live Conga music, a raptor show by the Carpenter Nature Center, food trucks, a bouncing castle, and so much more.  On Thursday evenings during the months of June, July and August, the pavilion will play host to “Music in the Park” from 7pm until 8:30pm each evening.  There will be several musical genres featured with a few very well-known area bands slated to perform.  There will be a variety of theater type events, movies, and much more.  The City of Hastings website has a flyer in a PDF format that can easily be downloaded and posted on your refrigerator, just like in the old days.   Another caveat that makes all these events really cool is… they are free (except for food or beverages purchased at food trucks).

                Speaking of music, Make Music Day is Wednesday, June 21st which will have various musicians and groups playing at various locations throughout Hastings.  The final list of performers and venues is being completed, so stay tuned and we will bring you the most up to date information next week.  The Rotary Pavilion and Olivers Grove Park are two of the locations that are locked in.  With Rivertown Days and Rivertown LIVE also on the docket for live music fans, Hastings is certainly a music destination. 

Wait… you do not know the difference between Rivertown Days and Rivertown LIVE?  Well, in a nutshell, Rivertown Days is a Friday through Sunday festival in Hastings the third full week of July that has an incredible music focus with other fun things like a carnival, craft fair and other things that go with a community festival.  The event is planned by an entire group of volunteers through the Hastings Chamber of Commerce, and they work their tails off.  Rivertown LIVE is a one-day concert, Saturday, September 9th that this year will feature STARSHIP with Mickey Thomas, John Waite, and regional rockers The Hype.  The Hastings Area Rotary Club produces the event and the Exclusive Presenting Sponsor once again this year is Hastings Automotive (Hastings Chrysler/Hastings Ford).  As local resident and former All-Star Wrestler Baron von Raschke often says, “that is all you need to know.”  At least for now.  It can be assumed that both these events will get lots of ink love here in “out and about.” 

Finally, something that has absolutely nothing to do with music.  There is a new business in Hastings and if you are into airsoft sports, you are going to want to pay attention.  Airsoft Armory is set to have their Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting TODAY (Thursday, May 4, 2023) at 3pm in front of the store at 1318 Vermillion Street.  They have a full array of airsoft guns, equipment, accessories, and more.  They are also affiliated with numerous airsoft leagues and play sites in the area so if you are looking to maybe get into joining some airsoft action, Jon and Aricka Becker are your new, local airsoft go-to’s.   Their names may sound familiar as they are also the owners of Becker Photography Studio featuring portrait photography, weddings, videography, and more.  They are currently in the process of moving their studio from its current location on Sibley Street in Downtown Hastings to its new spot across the parking lot from Airsoft Armory.  The Midtown Area is getting a few new businesses and there are rumors a few more might be popping up soon.  You know where you can read about it when it does, right?  Now Get Out and About.