Find A Business / Search Site
The community is gearing up for the 82nd North Iowa Band Festival, which begins Thursday, May 27 in Mason City. Thursday evening’s entertainment begins at 6:45PM in the Downtown Plaza (weather permitting) with the season-opening performance of the Mason City Municipal Band.
Honorees and Parade
In addition to the marching band competition, the parade will honor essential workers with this year’s Grand Marshal Award. Essential workers who are interested in marching in the parade are welcome to gather on the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Third Street NE at 9:30AM on Saturday, May 29. Representatives from CG Public Health and Curries will lead the Grand Marshal parade entry. In addition, special decals which pay tribute to the contributions of essential workers during the pandemic are available at the Chamber office and will be available during the festival at the information booth.
Long time North Iowa music educator Chris Bell is the 2021 Band Master recipient, and Stu Nevermann Run Director Carrie Berg will be recognized as the Klempnauer awardee.
As a public safety measure, parade entries are prohibited from distributing candy, trinkets, and promotional flyers this year. The Band Festival committee prepared free bags of candy for distribution at the Instrument Petting Zoo and Information Booth in Central Park on Saturday afternoon. The parade begins on Pennsylvania Avenue at Third Street NE. The area north and east of this corner are used for “staging areas” for the parade entries. Spectators should NOT sit on Third Street NE or on Pennsylvania
Ave. north of Third Street. Parents should not allow children to sit in the street or run into the street. Several of the marching bands will require the full width of the street for their performance.
Pets
Dogs and other animals—with or without a leash--are NOT allowed along the parade route on Saturday morning, or in any festival areas Downtown from Thursday evening through Monday evening.
Trash
Festival-goers are encouraged to use the trash receptacles located along the parade route and in Central Park. Private citizens along the parade route are extremely generous in allowing their North Iowa neighbors a great vantage point to enjoy the parade, and the Mason City Parks Department has worked very hard to have Central Park looking its best for guests. Please heed this gentle reminder to dispose of all trash properly.
Bathroom Facilities
Porta-potties will be located along the parade route, at the start of the Stu Nevermann Memorial Run, and in Central Park for the comfort of festival patrons. Please use these conveniently-located facilities and refrain from requesting entrance to private homes or businesses along the parade route or downtown. Accessible porta-potties are available downtown. For the parade, an accessible porta-potty will be placed in the parking lot across from the former YMCA building, which is the area designated for handicap-parking/parade viewing.
Rain
Saturday morning’s parade will be rain-delayed in half-hour increments and is subject to cancellation at 11:30AM. In the event of heavy rain or lightning, entertainment in Downtown will be cancelled, but decisions will be made prior to each entertainment segment (Friday night, Saturday afternoon, Saturday evening,) if the weather clears.
The Annual Stu Nevermann Memorial Run will begin as-scheduled in the event of rain, but will be delayed in 30-minute increments for lightning.
Severe Weather
Festival officials and the Mason City Police Department will work closely with the Cerro Gordo Emergency Management team to monitor the weather and the potential threat of severe weather. They will rely upon the National Weather Service to utilize the early warning system, if possible. In the event of severe weather, the Mason City Police Department will exercise its authority to ensure public safety. This may include directing patrons to evacuate Central Park and move to nearby shelter (NI Regional Commerce Center, City Hall, Praise Community Church).
Smoking
Patrons attending the Entertainment events in Central Park/Downtown should refrain from smoking.
Entertainment
The main stage will be located on North Federal Avenue in front of the Commerce Center (9 N Federal Avenue). The street and grassy areas of the park provide ample space for first-come, first-served park benches, bleacher seating, and bring-your-own lawn chairs. All concerts are free of charge.
On Friday, the MCHS Orchestra will perform Downtown at 5PM followed by the MCHS Jazz Band at 6PM. Friday’s headline entertainment, High & Mighty, begins at 7:30PM. This R&B group boasts musicians that have toured, recorded, and performed with Fleetwood Mac, Prince, Glenn Frey, Don Henley, and the Sounds of Blackness.
On Saturday, the Mohawk Danzers will perform in front of the main stage prior to the 2PM Awards Ceremony downtown. An Instrument Petting Zoo hosted by Rieman Music will be open from 3-5PM in Central Park for children of all ages to try different instruments. Today’s Your Day will also be in Central Park to delight children with balloon creations. Saturday evening’s entertainment will be held on the Main Stage. Brad + Kate will begin playing at 5PM. Following this performance, The Hepperly Band will take the stage at 7:30PM.
The festival continues on Sunday with the Outdoor Worship Service at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Carnival / Concession / Marketplace
The carnival and concessions will open on Thursday evening at 6PM and run until 8PM. The carnival and concessions open at 5PM on Friday, noon on Saturday, noon to 8PM on Sunday, and noon to close on Monday. Sunday and Monday will be “Wrist Band Days”. The Marketplace will be open Friday at 5PM, Noon on Saturday, and 11AM-4PM on Sunday.
Masks
The Band Festival Committee follows Center for Disease Control guidelines regarding the possible transmission of COVID-19. The CDC most recent update indicates people who have been fully vaccinated can resume pre-pandemic activities without wearing a mask or maintaining social distancing except where required by federal, state, or local laws, rules, and regulations—including local business and workplace restrictions. People who have a health condition or take medication which weakens their immune system should consult their healthcare provider regarding continuation of safety precautions despite being fully vaccinated.
Band Festival attendees are asked to use their best judgment regarding mask-wearing and social distancing based upon individual circumstances.
Website
The North Iowa Band Festival website contains the most up-to-date information on all aspects of the festival. www.nibandfest.com
