Music in the Park is a Hit!
By: Heather Rule
Pull up a lawn chair for the second summer of Music in the Park in Pelican Rapids, featuring a variety of music on six evenings throughout the summer.
“Big Pelican Pete is in the background when you’re looking at the musician,” said Jordan Grossman, Pelican Rapids EDA Director.
Music in the Park is a six-date concert series in EL Peterson Park along the river. The musical acts vary, with some local and some non-local artists, performing a variety of music for the two-hour set.
The first-of-its-kind event in Pelican Rapids is free to the public. Visitors can bring their lawn chairs, find a good spot in the park, and listen to music for a couple of hours. In addition to the music, local non-profit organizations provide dinner for concert-goers, like tacos in a bag or pulled-turkey sandwiches. A freewill offering goes toward supporting those non-profit organizations.
People are also encouraged to BYOB – bring your own beverage – to Music in the Park. Sometimes there might be inflatable games for kids. They could play on the park’s playground equipment. Overall, it’s a fun gathering for all ages with food, music, and a beautiful outdoor setting.
In case of rainy weather, which happened multiple times in 2025, the concert will not be canceled. Instead, it shifts to the Pelican Rapids Fire Hall. More than 100 people attended on the outdoor evenings.
“I think when the weather was nice, we had a good audience,” Grossman said. “Rain or shine, it was a blast. It was so fun to see local families come out with their kids when they probably had nothing to do that evening.”
Check with the Pelican Rapids Facebook page, city website, or the Pelican Press for more details about Music in the Park. Last summer, the event was held on two nights each in June, July, and August.
