Ripon's Village Green provides three nights of entertainment

The downtown will be hopping........

Ripon’s Village Green will host three nights of free entertainment beginning this evening. The concert series features a special performance by the Tuba Dan Band tonight starting at 7 pm. The evening is sponsored by M&I Bank and Affinity Health System who are also hosting their annual ice cream social. They are teaming up with Culvers to provide free custard sundaes to those in attendance while supplies last.

Due to unexpected circumstances, I Drank With Frank is unable to perform tomorrow night (Friday, August 14th). The 1st Degree, a high energy rock and roll band that made a tremendous impression at Riponfest in 2008, will be on hand to take their place. If you have not had the chance to experience a 1st Degree show, you need to see what everyone is raving about. Over the last two years, 1st Degree, a talented and charismatic group of teenage musicians, has made their mark on the area music scene. They have even opened for rock legend REO Speedwagon as well as new national acts Cherish, Hollywood High and the Crave.

In addition, the Ripon Noon Kiwanis Club is hosting a 5K Twilight Run Saturday evening at 8:15 pm. The redesigned 5K course, certified by USA Track and Field, will run through the beautiful streets of Ripon, starting from the corner of Watertown and Watson Streets, and ending at the Village Green. The event includes a special Saturday night concert featuring the Groove Syndicate, a classic rock band featuring a horn section. The Groove Syndicate will perform from 7 to 10:30 pm on the Village Green.

The free concerts take place on Friday evenings from 7:00 to 10:00 pm on the Village Green in historic downtown Ripon. A variety of beverages are available and participants are encouraged to bring folding chairs or blankets to sit on. No carry-ins are allowed in the park because beverage sales help cover entertainment expenses.

A special Thank You goes out to M&I Bank and Affinity Health System for sponsoring the summer concert series. Let them know you appreciate the financial commitment they have made to our community. Additional sponsors include the Diedrich Agency, Fat Bruce’s, Horicon Bank, A&W Restaurant, Condon Oil, Miller Brewing, Piernot Dentistry, Ripon Commonwealth Press/Express, Chris Rauch D.D.S., Ripon College, Ripon Drug, Ripon Medical Center, Ripon Pickle Co., J.M. Smucker’s, Bluemkes, Apple Orchard Alpacas, Alling Enterprises, Ripon Window & Door, WRPN AM 1600, Yeomans - Endinger Chiropractic Center, Donald & Kim Ellingson, Jane & Harland Hilke, Sue & Ron Silber, Ann Jurkowski, Derk & Paula Lesniak, Julie & Lyle Mathias, and Holly & Ivy.

Enjoy an evening of entertainment in historic downtown Ripon and discover the charm of small town hospitality. Call the Ripon Main Street office at 920-748-7466 or visit www.downtownripon.com for more information.