Alexandria Rotary to bring new concert series to Lake Brophy County Park

DOUGLAS COUNTY — The Alexandria Rotary Club is one step closer to launching a new event off the ground – "Summer Sounds by Brophy."

Members of the service organization presented information to the Douglas County Board of Commissioners at the Tuesday, March 7, regular meeting, in hopes that their application for a permit to use Douglas County property for the event was approved.

It was.

Dave Hartmann, a Rotarian, said, “These are exciting times for us,” when telling the commissioners about the event. He said Summer Sounds by Brophy is a concert series that will take place at Lake Brophy County Park on July 18, July 25 and Aug. 1.

The first one will take place on the same day as the grand opening of the new visitor center that is currently being built at the park.

“It’s a great way to kick off our event and celebrate the opening of the visitor center,” said Hartmann.

He added the Summer Sounds by Brophy will be similar to two other events in the state – Summertime by George held in St. Cloud and Rockin’ Robbins in Willmar.

A lot of planning has already gone into the concert series at Lake Brophy County Park, explained Hartmann. He said there would be an opening band that would start at 5 p.m. with the major band to play afterward until 9 p.m.

The event, he noted, would raise money for community projects. The concerts themselves would be free, but there would be a vendor on-site selling alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Alexandria Rotary would sponsor the free concerts, but members have been selling sponsorships too. Hartmann said the Rotary Club already has $60,000 in sponsorships, but is hoping to get more.

“This can generate major dollars for our community,” he told the commissioners.

Although parking would be available at the park, Hartmann said there will also be shuttles available from the Douglas County Fairgrounds to the park.

“We think we have a good plan and we are excited about the partnerships,” he said.

The commissioners approved the following other items:

• A resolution supporting the Family Homeless Assistance and Prevention Program grant application submitted by West Central Minnesota Communities Action, Inc. 
• Preliminary plat of Schultz Family Trust Property, a three lot and an outlot plat in Miltona Township. 
• Conditional use permit to Klimek Estates, a residential planned unit development on Lake Carlos. 
• Preliminary plat of Lake Carlos Bay, a four lot plat with outbuildings on Lake Carlos. 
• Weed removal on Lake Brophy. They approved a chemical treatment removal, which will cost about $1,800. To hand remove the weeds, the cost would be about 10 times as much, according to Douglas County Public Works Director Tim Erickson. Commissioner Jerry Rapp was a “no” vote for the chemical treatment.