By Tina L. Scott
Editor
With temperatures pushing past 90 degrees Fahrenheit last Thursday and severe weather potential on the horizon, organizers decided to move the July 24, 2023, free Thorogood Thursday concert from the gazebo at Normal Park to Les & Jim’s Lincoln Lanes’ indoor space “out of an abundance of caution.”
This was only the second time in 14 years the concert was moved indoors, organizer Michael “Gus” Caylor said.
Concert-goers appreciated the air conditioning and having a roof overhead, especially as storms and rain did descend on Merrill later in the evening.
The Northwoods Bassist kicked things off at 5 p.m., wrapping up his opening act with “God Bless the USA,” which brought all those who could stand to their feet, with many hats in hand and the audience singing along.
At 6 p.m., headliner Neal Zunker and the Music Connection provided polkas to entertain a good-sized crowd that might not otherwise have come out to swelter in the hot summer temperatures.
The 50/50 raffle proceeds were donated to Discharge with Dignity, which provides clothing to hospitalized patients who have no local family or friends to bring them clothing when they are discharged from the hospital after a traumatic or emergency admission to Aspirus Merrill Hospital. Prior to the implementation of this program, such patients were discharged in disposable paper clothing to return home.
Tonight’s entertainment
The Northwoods Bassist will again be the opening act at this evening’s Thorogood Thursday Gazebo Nights concert in Normal Park, kicking things off at 5 p.m.
Bogfoot, a five-piece band from Sugar Camp playing seven decades of rock and roll and the most requested band to return for 2023, will take the stage at 6 p.m.
This week’s sponsors include Thorogood, Chips, Century 21 Best Way Realty, Nicolet Bank, the Dugout, Lange Home Construction, and One Way Collision.
The Boy Scouts will sell concessions.
In the event of inclement weather, concerts will be moved to Les & Jim’s Lincoln Lanes at 1208 N. Center Ave. in Merrill.
Next week
Next Thursday, Aug. 10, the Northwoods Bassist will open the show at 5 p.m. with headliner Howard Guitar Luedtke and the Blue Max Band taking the stage at 6 p.m.
