by Matt Marquardt –
MASON CITY – It is Band Fest weekend again, quite likely the busiest time of the year in Mason City, and preparations are well underway in the East Park area for the throngs of people that will head that way.
Police barricades can be seen here and there laying in the boulevards on East State Street, ready to be erected Friday for Saturday’s parade, which begins at 10 AM at the corner of North Penn Avenue and East State Street..
(PHOTO: Volunteers with the North Iowa Garden Club toil in the park, Tuesday evening in preparation for Band Fest weekend.)
Margaret MacNider Campground is more or less completely full. A sign says that only a few tent spaces are available.
In East Park itself, volunteers were sweating it out, rolling boulders, digging holes, planting flowers and raking and smoothing dirt. City mowers were out in full force. Even as this all went on, the park was teaming with walkers, frisbee throwers, bikers etc. As Tuesday wore on, more and more semi-trailers rolled in with their amusement rides in tow. The carnies were jubilant as they began to unpack; a few got their grills out to cook.
Overall the park is rounding into shape nicely. Saturday there could be some rain so bring your umbrellas.
On the downside, the Mason City public pool will not be open until June 2, so no one will be able to enjoy that amenity besides the ducks.
For a complete schedule of Band Fest weekend, click here.
