The first Concert on the Courthouse Lawn this season was a rockin’ good time Thursday night, June 25 – until an unexpected downpour stopped the show.
The Holy Rocka Rollaz, a Twin Cities trio that specializes in music from the 1950s, got the crowd grooving to the sounds of Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, the Everly Brothers, Patsy Cline and more.
The show was first in a season that was delayed six weeks because of the pandemic. The Red Willow Arts Coalition puts on the free concerts that are a big hit in the summer with families and older generations as well.
The trio was about three songs into their second set when the rain let loose.
“Not a hard downpour but a fairly heavy rain – just enough to scatter the crowd,” said Chuck Wencl, concert organizer for the coalition. “They’re a great band – the audience really enjoyed them.”
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The coalition followed a long list of COVID-19 recommendations by providing masks and a hand washing station, limiting the crowd size, encouraging social distancing and taking other precautions.
“We were extremely happy with the behavior of the crowd,” Wencl said. “They did a great job of distancing, and didn't move around much.”
The Thursday concerts start at 7 p.m. and end by 8:30 p.m. Next up is the Woodpicks on July 2, followed by a special July 4 concert featuring sing-alongs to patriotic tunes and a salute to veterans.
Concerts continue every Thursday night until the season finale on Aug. 27.
