UPDATE: Summertime by George! Is Canceled

Originally published 4:38 p.m. June, 16th, 2026

Updated 12:11 June. 17th, 2026

(KNSI) – Opening night of Summertime by George! is a wash.

Organizers have cancelled the season opener scheduled for Wednesday, June 17th at Lake George, citing morning rainfall that left the park grounds too wet to safely host the event. In announcing the decision, organizers said the safety of attendees, bands, vendors and volunteers comes first, and they thanked the community for its understanding.

The cancellation scrubs what was set to be the kickoff of the free concert series’ 15th season. The Locals, an acoustic trio featuring Bennett Vee, Maggie Petron and Katie Poetz, had been booked for the 5:30 p.m. opener, with Bobby Vee’s sons, nephew and grandson, The Killer Vees, headlining at 7:00 p.m.

The sound of summer now returns to downtown St. Cloud Wednesday, June 24th, when the series picks up with The Fabulous Armadillos performing “What’s Going On? Music of the Vietnam Era,” and Andy Austin opening the night. The weekly shows run from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. each Wednesday at Lake George.

The music is only part of the night. The Middle Town Market sets up near the lake each week with everything from smoky BBQ and fresh sandwiches to sweets, hand-crafted artistry and one-of-a-kind merchandise. Eastman Tavern, just west of the stage, pours craft and domestic beer, wine and snacks, and this year you can sip and stroll anywhere inside the park, as long as your drink came from an SBG tavern or mini pub. Leave the coolers at home. Families have their own corner too, with the Little Georgetown area running free, well-staffed activities and arts and crafts so the kids can burn off energy while the grown-ups catch the show.

It all benefits the community. The event is entirely volunteer-run by the Rotary Club of St. Cloud, and 100% of beverage proceeds go toward local projects, with net proceeds from popcorn, beer, wine, t-shirts and raffle tickets flowing into the Club’s nonprofit foundation. That money has helped fund the LSS Youth Resource Center, the Community Outpost on the city’s south side, the Preschool 4 Success partnership with District 742, and even international water and building projects in the Dominican Republic.

Not bad for an idea that started as a sketch on a napkin. When Summertime by George! debuted in 2011, organizers hoped to draw 500 people. That first night pulled in 2,000, and the event has only grown since. Organizers say it now averages more than 10,000 people in the park every Wednesday and has topped 1.2 million attendees all-time. Its success has even inspired copycat events in Willmar, Excelsior and Alexandria.

Here’s how the rest of the summer shapes up, with headliners at 7:00 p.m. and openers at 5:30 p.m.:

June 24th: The Fabulous Armadillos – What’s Going On? Music of the Vietnam Era / Andy Austin
July 1st: Going to the Sun / 200′ Away
July 8th: Janelle Kendall’s Perfect Storm / Airborne Attraction
July 15th: Church of Cash / Mitch Gordon
July 22nd: Michael Shynes & The Long Way Home / Kat Blue with Special Guest Maggie Petron
July 29th: Collective Unconscious / Groovy Shoes
August 5th: Pamela McNeill – Janis, Dolly, Stevie and Me / Harper’s Chord
August 12th: The Fabulous Armadillos / Mel & Glen

Admission, as always, is free.

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