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April 2022 • News Graphic & Daily News • Exploring the Arts • 3 All four days feature food trucks, beverages and family activities. Parking is free for these events. Ticket prices vary for each event. Some events have diff erent ticket packages and deals. To purchase tickets or fi nd out more information, visit https:// gatheringonthegreen.org/. In addition, Gathering on the Green is holding four free concerts in Thiensville Village Park for their "Music in the Park" Series on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Each day consists of a diff erent theme. May 22nd's theme is A Cappella, July 5 is Jazz, July 17 is classical themed and August 21 has a bluegrass theme. The Village Park is on the Milwaukee River and there will be food trucks and games along with the music, according to Kos. There is also free music every Thursday night on the second fl oor of the Mequon Public Market. In Washington County, the HomeTown Foundation is holding the Seventh Annual HomeGrown Music Festival at Regner Park in West Bend. The music festival is a free all-day event on July 10. Hometown Foundation Cofounder Mike Christian said they expect to see around 1,500 people in attendance. The festival started in 2015 when Christian won an auction for a day at Regner Park. He decided to have his band and other bands play live at the park as a fundraiser for the Washington County Historical Society. HomeGrown Music Festival past performers include The Belle Weather, Christopher Gold and Wise Jennings. Throughout the summer, the HomeTown Foundation rotates every Thursday between Regner Park and Sandy Knoll Park for "Regner Rocks Concert Series" and "Sounds at Sandy Knoll Park." Regner Rocks starts on June 9 and is every other Thursday through Aug. 25. Sounds at Sandy Knoll starts June 30 and is every other Thursday through Sept. 1. For these, "we focus on Wisconsin-based original musicians," Christian said. The band lineup hasn't offi cially been announced yet, but it's confi rmed that there will be performances by Betsy Ade and the Well Known Strangers, The Whisky Bells, Brett Newsky and The Happy Schnapps Combo. Christian expects the number of people attending to increase this year with the decline of COVID-19. "We had anywhere between 200- 400 people last year," said Christian. "We anticipate around 500 at each event. All of our events are free. We ask for donations to our foundations at the gate." There will be art projects and kids activities as a part of the Thursday night concerts. The HomeGrown Foundation works with Chix for a cause and West Bend Moose Lodge to provide volunteers and share the proceeds. "It would be diffi cult for us to pull off these events without their partnership," said Christian. "We couldn't do it without them. Also in West Bend, the Downtown Association has "Music on Main" every Thursday night starting June 2 through Sept. 1 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. June performers include Cherry Pie Acoustic, Whiskey Throttle, FM Rodeo and The Verdict. According to Executive Director of the Downtown West Bend Association Gena Biertzer, there is a new pre-show from 5-6 p.m. this year that will feature local artists and school-age musicians. In addition, there will be food, beverages and 50/50 raffl es each Thursday. Each week there is a diff erent local sponsor that is supporting the event. They will also have three diff erent musicians at every farmers market from May 21 to Oct 29. For more information about "Music on Main", visit www. downtownwestbend.com. Photo Courtesy of Charles Nevsimal Redshift Headlights performing at Regner Park for Regner Rocks. Photo Courtesy of Charles Nevsimal Them Coulee Boys singing into their microphones at Regner Park.

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