MUSCATINE, Iowa–Though Almost Friday Fest has only graced the riverfront for the past three years, it would hardly feel like summer in Muscatine without it. This year, Almost Friday Fest will continue offering the perfect way to kick off the weekend one Thursday each month, May through September, while also adding four special events to give local residents and visitors four more reasons to enjoy an evening of outdoor fun.

On May 26, June 23, July 21, Aug. 25, and Sept. 22, Almost Friday Fest will once again provide the high-quality outdoor entertainment Muscatine County Residents have come to expect. Based on positive reviews and recommendations from Almost Friday Fest goers, Keep Muscatine Beautiful members Chris Boar and Brenda Christiansen, who organize Almost Friday Fest, have lined up an impressive selection of bands including First Impression, Angus Kahn, After Shock, Mud Dogs Band, and Muscatine’s very own Monica Austin.

Along with a great chance to take in some free music, Almost Friday Fest goers can check out a number of different vendors, play lawn games with their kids, and find out about great community organizations who will have representatives there. People who get hungry or thirsty can purchase concessions on site, and all of the proceeds from the beer and wine tent will go towards building the Wave Amphitheatre, which will enhance future Almost Friday Fests.

If the monthly gatherings leave you wanting more, Almost Friday Fest’s four special events will satisfy that craving. Last year, the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry invited Keep Muscatine Beautiful to hold a special event on the Fourth of July. Almost Fireworks Fest turned into such a hit that it will make a second appearance this Independence Day with a performance by Tim Stop.

On July 22, in conjunction with the annual College Search Kickoff at the Muscatine Soccer Complex, Soccer Search Friday Fest will debut with music provided by Fair Warning. As Boar explained it, “the Soccer Search event will be in town, and we thought it would be a great way to promote Muscatine to all the out of town visitors.”

To close out the Almost Friday Fest season with a bang, the final Almost Friday Fest of the year will have not one but two days of additional fun following it. Sept. 23, Friday Fest will keep the previous night’s momentum going with fun for the whole family and a second appearance by Angus Kahn. Sept. 24, beer lovers from near and far can come out and enjoy the second annual Oktobrewfest, with music from local favorites Frankie Joe and Kinfolk: “Oktobrewfest is something we have always wanted to do. Last’s years event was a hit, so we decided to try it again,” shared Boar. “It was so much fun!”

Lovers of live music, parents looking for a good way to get out and amuse their children, and people who enjoy spending time socializing outside all have a lot to look forward to, as this year’s Almost Friday Fests and adjacent activities draw near. Boar and Christiansen anticipate strong turnouts throughout the summer and have high hopes for moving the amphitheatre project one step closer to completion. “We always look forward to these events – we are proud to show off what a great riverfront and town we have!” Boar enthused.