The organizers of Gazebo Nights at Normal Park have announced their summer concert line up for 2021.
In what is being dubbed their “Second Annual 10 year anniversary,” the event is now officially branded as “Thorogood Brand Footwear, a Weinbrenner Company, presents Gazebo Nights.”
“We are proud to announce Thorogood is officially the branding sponsor of Gazebo Nights for the 2021 season,” said concert co-organizer, Mike Caylor. “Thorogood recognized that the concerts are completely driven towards giving back to Merrill, and they wish to use their sponsorship as a way of thanking the Merrill community for their support.” Weinbrenner, the parent company of Thorogood, has been in operation in Merrill since the 1930’s and produces the finest in work, public safety, and outdoor footwear.
The budget for this year’s concerts has increased over previous years, thanks to previous audience contributions, as well as new sponsors, including Thorogood. Other new sponsors this year include The Dug Out Bar, Ed & Sharon’s Restaurant and Catering, Duwayne Kreager Insurance, and Caylor’s Trophy Bar.
Returning sponsors are: Church Mutual Insurance, Park City Credit Union, Brickner Park City, One Way Collision, mBank, Chips Hamburgers, Nelsons Powerhouse – Lawn and Leisure, Dave’s County Market, Merrill Community Bank, Courtside Furniture, Merrill Firefighter Charities, Merrill Police Benevolent Association, Taylor & Stine Funeral Home, and Reindl Printing.
A special tribute concert will be held on August 19, featuring American Idol Golden Ticket contestant, Franki Moscato. This concert, sponsored by Merrill Firefighter Charities and the Merrill Police Benevolent Association, will pay tribute to the first responders and health care workers who worked tirelessly during the pandemic.
Four acts will make their Gazebo Nights debut this summer. Lead performances begin at 6:00 p.m. and run until approximately 8:00 p.m. The warm-up hour begins at 5:00 p.m. each night, except for August 19 when there will not be a warm up act.
This summer’s line up is:
July 8, 2021 – Reilly – Straight out of Milwaukee, Reilly was voted the Wisconsin Celtic band of the year by the Wisconsin Area Music Industry for 2019 and 2015. Besides playing Irish songs that will get you off your chair dancing, Reilly is known for playing traditional classics such as Tom Petty, Queen, Johnny Cash, CCR, Otis Redding, and the Stones. Reilly will be making their Gazebo Nights debut.
July 15, 2021 – Paul Filipowicz Band – Paul is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player who has played from Denver to Mississippi to Merrill with his award-winning style of Blues. Paul is looking forward to rocking the gazebo with old and new friends alike.
July 22, 2021 – The Quitters – Out of the Fox Cities, The Quitters offers a blend of classic hits from major artists of the 1980’s to the more contemporary sounds of today’s music. From Michael Jackson to Blondie to Pink and Walk the Moon, The Quitters put their unique spin on a variety of high energy music that is guaranteed to get the crowds dancing. The Quitters will be making their Gazebo Nights debut.
July 29, 2021 – Red Higgins, Lisa Marie, and the Freedom Train. By far the most requested returning band from 2019, Red Higgins engages his audience like no other. Red is a Nashville Recording Artist and has appeared on numerous television shows playing everything from Johnny Cash to Conway Twitty and Elvis. Red kept the crowd rocking and begging for more during his last gazebo concert, so you won’t want to miss this one!
August 5, 2021 – Rising Phoenix – Another band making their Gazebo debut, Rising Phoenix is often the headline rock band for area county fairs. Known as the ultimate 70’s and 80’s Rock Party Band, Rising Phoenix has won the Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) People’s Choice Award for three years straight. They were also voted Wisconsin’s best cover band by foundinWI.com in 2017, and their drummer was voted WAMI Drummer of the Year in 2018. Thanks to their large catalog, Rising Phoenix will keep you dancing and singing all night long.
August 12, 2021 – No concert – See you at the Fair!
August 19, 2021 – American Idol’s own Franki Moscato is making her Gazebo Nights debut for our Salute to First Responders and Health Care Workers event.
August 26, 2021 – It’s Copper Box! The quartet from Oshkosh has rocked the gazebo for years now and is almost always the closing act of the summer. The group plays a variety of instruments from the accordion to the sax and is known for polka, rock, and the blues, as well as their own originals. Copper Box is always one of the best attended concerts of the year and never disappoints.
Also making his Gazebo Nights debut is Merrill’s own Bryce Thomaschefsky, who will be splitting the warm-up hour each week with the “opening act with the most tact,” Winchester. They will play one hour before each scheduled concert with the exception of August 19.
Please join your hosts MGM Entertainment, Gus and Valerie Caylor, and Thorogood, a Weinbrenner Company, as they present Gazebo Nights 2021.