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Keokuk Music Festival Ready to Roll Again

IRENE FISH - ROLLIN ON THE RIVER

There have not been many outlets for live music the past year due to the pandemic, but that's starting to change.

In Keokuk, the Rollin' on the River Festival will return to Victory Park after a one year hiatus.

“After all this, (with) people staying home and that kind of thing, and all the live music in the area being cancelled, we hope that people are ready to get out,” said Promotion Chairperson Randy Fish.

He said this will be the festival’s 33rd year, which he said makes it the longest running music festival in the area.

Fish said cancelling last year's festival was a tough decision, but it wasn't a good year to be out fundraising. He also said it put them in a better position to succeed financially this year.

"We pay 50% (to the bands) and then when they play we give them the other 50%. So we made an agreement with them to keep the money and come back for the other 50%, and they all agreed to do that," Fish said.

The Music Lineup

Friday, August 20 

  • Sally Weisenberg
  • Ivis John Band
  • Headliner: Not Yet Announced

Saturday, August 21

  • Catfish Keith
  • Craig Erickson
  • Jason D. Williams

randy_fish_-_music_acts.mp3
Randy Fish describes the Music Acts for Rollin' on the River 21.

Fish said Rollin' on the River isn't a single genre music festival, "But we sure give a strong nod to the blues." 

What it Takes to Put on a Music festival.

Fish said the festival is only two days, but it takes a team of people to make it happen each year.

He said 12 people serve on its planning committee.  It also takes volunteers from in and around the community to make it happen each year.

"They're very helpful. Every year we draw from business people and friends and that kind of thing," Fish said. 

He said volunteers are responsible for setting up and tearing down the event, and selling tickets and refreshments.

"You'd think first thing Friday it's the first time we've ever done it," Fish laughed. "But then it gets rolling and we're fine.”

Fish said in addition to the entertainment, they'll also have free music workshops for the kids, and plenty of food vendors to keep people fed.

Tri States Public Radio produced this story.  TSPR relies on financial support from our readers and listeners in order to provide coverage of the issues that matter to west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. As someone who values the content created by TSPR's news department please consider making a financial contribution.

David Hightower is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.