Everybody likes music downtown, even folks back in Madison. Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce chief Eric Hortness says the Downtown in Madtown free concert series started big in 2018 and has gotten much bigger:
Hortness estimates the very first Downtown in Madtown drew in about 1,000 people.
It took over just one block of downtown.
This year, it stretches down two and a half blocks.
Attendance in recent years has more than doubled.
“I get overwhelmed every week on how big the crowds are. People start showing up at 5:15 putting their lawn chairs up. The band doesn’t start until 6:00, so each week it seems like lawn chairs are showing up earlier and earlier,” Hortness said [Kelli Volk, “Downtown in Madtown Attracting Big Crowds,” KELO-TV, 2023.07.27].
Downtown in Madtown has four more concerts, the next four Tuesdays in August:
- August 1: Rowan Grace
- August 8: Kat Perkins
- August 15: Sgt. Rock
- August 22: Lizzy Hofer
Eric and the chamber board have been instrumental in bringing this great community event together. Food trucks line the block, bounce houses for kids, and each week has a theme. Week one was a car show and week 2 was a bike show. The next week is paired with America Night Out so all First Responders/Police/EMS and various orgs will have all our equipment lined up to meet with the public and enjoy some more great music. This has been one of the greatest events to come about in Madison for quite some time and I hope they continue it in the future.
Sounds like a hootenanny good time. The alternatives for entertainment in small towns are not so healthy, so glad to hear a community in SD is committed to good clean fun. Party on, Madison.
Good for Madison…people like to party close to home.A friends and neighbors kind of event. If you don’t like the band you can BS the neighbors.
Nothing like good government attempting to bring people together ; it helps in understanding and accepting others, instead of the rabid, in-your-face, vengeful GOP “anti-government” mantra!!…
It’s perplexing that communities walked away from community summer concerts and gatherings that once were common. People are social animals.
Relationships are imperative to long life. https://www.amazon.com/Good-Life-Lessons-Scientific-Happiness/dp/198216669X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1BDUMZSS60P14&keywords=the+good+life+book&qid=1690640856&sprefix=%2Caps%2C131&sr=8-1
When one treks to Madison, stop in Brookings to view the Oscar Howe traveling exhibit sponsored by the Smithsonian, https://americanindian.si.edu/explore/exhibitions/item?id=988
Sgt. Rock is a popular fellow from way back. I hope he brings all of Easy Company along.
Sounds like great fun. Congrats, Madison!