By: Matt Scher, matts@977thebolt.com
Humboldt, IA – The Veterans Appreciation Concert is coming up Saturday, August 22 at Lower Joe Sheldon Park in Humboldt.
Organizer Dwight Lindquist, a 22-year Navy veteran, says the event has been held every other year for the past 12 years, with this year’s concert featuring a change in musical style.
“It was time for a change and that’s what I talked it over with some veterans and we felt a different move. It’s time to party.”
This year’s lineup includes Ride On, followed by ZZ KC, a ZZ Top tribute band from the Kansas City area. A military ceremony will begin at 6 p.m., including an honor guard, a speech from a former Army captain and a rifle drill performance by Iowa State University’s NROTC rifle drill team.
“Iowa State University has a drill team, a rifle drill team. It’s commanded by Staff Sergeant Marine Corps Cameron. They are going to be coming up and doing a rifle drill for everybody. This team goes all over the United States in competition,” Lindquist said.
He says proceeds from the event will benefit veterans.
“We hold back a little bit for another event and then we send the rest of the money to the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund for veterans in need.”
Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $10 dollars at the gate, with veterans, reserve, and active duty free of charge. Children aged 15 and younger are free with an adult. There will also be food and beverage vendors and a bouncy house for children. Coolers and containers are barred from entry.