(KNSI) — The Rotary Club of St. Cloud announced the lineup for Summertime By George! featuring a mix of returning favorites and fresh talent.
Entertainment Chair Troy Fritz tells KNSI News there’s a method to the matchups. He says the Rotary tried to get a good mix. “We’ve got several bands that we’ve had in the past, some that haven’t been there for a while, and then this year, we’re bringing in a kind of a unique entertainer. On June 25th, this Anthony shore [is] doing an Elvis Presley tribute, which I think our demographic will really enjoy. But it’s just trying to figure out the flow from one headliner to the next, so you don’t have all one genre several weeks in a row. [We] try to kind of mix them up, move them around a little bit. And, you know, start strong and end strong and have just a good season in between.”
Fritz is quite excited about what’s planned for 2025. “I think the biggest thing for folks to know is that we’ve got a lot of energy coming, a lot of very, very talented musicians. They’re coming in with some new aspects to their shows. We have several openers that are brand new this year that I think are going to be a lot of fun, and we always bring in the anthem singers and a little patriotic lean to our shows as well. So, it’s going to be just a fantastic season. We’re going to have 70 degree and sunny nights, every single night, guaranteed, I hope,” he quips. “And other than that, it’s going to be a great season. I hope to have everybody come join us.”
The season kicks off with Rumours & Dreams: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute. This show sells out each time it’s presented on stage at the Paramount Theater Downtown St. Cloud, but fans can see it for free at Eastman Park on the Shores of Lake George on June 18th. The group, consisting of Pamela Helmer McNeill, Mary Jane Alm, and Jeff Engholm on vocals, backed by a host of A-List musicians, Rumours & Dreams takes fans through one of the richest songbooks in rock and roll history. Opening act Pandemic will bring alive everything 80s.
June 25th, lace up the blue suede shoes for Elvis tribute artist Anthony Shore. In love with The King’s music by the time he hit preschool, he was singing professionally at the age of 16 and has been all over the world. He brings horns, strings, the jumpsuit, and the swagger. The opening act is locally based Mel and Glen, playing a wide variety of music.
Collective Unconscious brings the songbook of CSNY to the stage on July 9th. Perfectly embodying the harmonies of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, you’ll hear favorites from the 60s and 70s that sound just like the records. The opening act is Americana/country/bluegrass favorites Harper’s Chord.
It’s all about the 8-tracks, bellbottoms, roller skates, and polyester July 16th with the 70’s Magic Sunshine Band. It’s a flashback to the Top 40 hits from one of the biggest decades in music. Kat Blue is the opening act for the evening, covering everything from folk, country, rock, and bluegrass.
The stage goes to the ladies of rock and roll on July 23rd with Janelle Kendall’s The Perfect Storm belting out favorites from Pat Benatar, Blondie, Carly Simon, Heart, and more. Highway 23 Acoustic Jam is the opening act featuring classic rock, blues, and country.
Journey, Foreigner, Kansas, and Styx will be celebrated on July 30th with Xpedition. The opening act is Minneapolis-based Going to the Sun playing a mix of acoustic, electric pop/rock.
The Fabulous Armadillos return to the SBG stage on August 6th. Made up of immensely talented local artists, it’s anybody’s guess what they’ll play. Famous for playing songs just like they’d sound coming out of the radio or home stereo, the group does spot on recreations of rock, country, Motown, and any other genre anyone could think of. Opening act Groovy Shoes delivers a wide mix of classic rock, R&B, jazz, pop, country, and their original songs.
The season closes on August 13th with Mason Dixon Line. Fronted by brothers Justin and Jason Ploof, the group is known as one of the area’s premiere country rock bands. Opener Thunder Road gets the party going with its own brand of rock and country.
The theme this year is Tap Into Summer. All shows are free. Each evening kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with an opening act. Headlining acts perform from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Beyond the family-friendly music, there are also food vendors, attractions, and activities at Middle Town Market, and Little Georgetown for the kids.
For guests 21 and older, SBG will maintain its park-wide beverage policy, allowing attendees to enjoy beer and wine throughout the venue. Shandy by George! beer, along with a variety of beverages, will be available at Middle Town Taverns, which open at 5:00 p.m. and mobile pubs.
The events are also community driven fundraisers as proceeds from beverage sales and other paid experiences directly fund programs like the Community Outpost, Pathways 4 Youth, and Preschool for Success.
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