Thousands attend opening night of La Crosse’s free and largest summer concert series after it was canceled in 2020
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) – For the first time in two years, La Crosse’s free and largest summer concert series made its grand return Thursday night.
Strike up the band because Moon Tunes is back in Riverside Park, bringing people in from the La Crosse area and beyond.
“This is our first time down here in over a year because of the pandemic,” Holmen concertgoer Becky Freier said. “And this is beautiful.”
“My daughter lives in La Crosse. And I’ve been to one of the concerts before they built all this (the bandshell). And I’m here on vacation, and I said ‘I want to come.’ This is great,” Nevada concertgoer Debra LeFlore said.
It’s a great time for some good music and food.
“And we’re giving away COVID-19 vaccinations for free,” Valley View Rotary Moon Tunes co-founder Terry Bauer said. “The more people get vaccinated, the more we can do this socializing group.”
Bauer says concerts didn’t happen in 2020.
“Pretty depressing last year,” Bauer said. “We delayed canceling every month hoping the next month would get better. And it never got better.”
But in 2021, so many people are showing up Bauer lost count.
“One, two, let’s just say a lot,” Bauer said.
More like thousands to once again enjoy La Crosse’s collection of free summer concerts.
“Everybody is just excited to be back in the park,” Bauer said. “And this is something that La Crosse has really grabbed as our own.”
The event began with a dedication ceremony of the new bandshell.
Bill Miller, TUGG and the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra performed on opening night.
Moon Tunes runs on most Thursdays throughout the summer until September 11.
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