North Iowa Band Festival Is Back and Scheduled for May 27-31st!
The countdown is on! After being cancelled last year due to Covid-19 concerns, the North Iowa Band Festival is back. The five-day festival will again be taking place Memorial Day Weekend and will include ample live entertainment, carnival, marketplace, Stu Nevermann Memorial Run (register here), and of course the BIG parade! For a preliminary timeline of events, see below.
Since its inception in 1928, the festival has been suspended only one other time in its history, from 1943-1945 due to World War II. The event was so missed that the organizers promised to deliver bigger and better, and that is exactly what they did. The festival grew from a three-day event to a five-day event and has been that way since.
There is no doubt last year’s cancellation was a big blow to our northern Iowa communities both financially and emotionally.
The North Iowa Band Festival has a long history and is the largest free marching band competition in the Midwest.
According to The Mason City Chamber of Commerce, tourism-related expenditures contributed an estimated $136.18 million into Mason City’s economy in 2018. Last year’s cancellation hurt to say the least. However, true to the good character and reputation of Mason City and its citizens, many corporate sponsors stepped up to absorb the expenses already incurred in the planning. These include corporations such as First Citizens Bank, REG-Mason City, and Clear Lake Bank & Trust to name a few – we thank you!
Although we are not out of the woods yet related to Covid-19, Mason City believes the show must go on! And so, while the festival will be taking place there will be some extra precautions and changes. The following is a list of some of the changes:
- No distribution of candy, flyers, and/or trinkets from parade entrants.
- Children CAN pick up bags of candy at The Instrument Petting Zoo in Central Park.
- Those attending the festival are encouraged to get the Covid-19 vaccination.
- Social distancing is still encouraged.
Below is a timeline of tentatively scheduled events. Please note that all events listed are tentative and subject to change. For the most up-to-date schedule, please click here.
Thursday, May 27th
| TIME | EVENT | LOCATION |
| 6-8 PM | Carnival Open | Downtown |
| 6:45 PM | Mason City Municipal Band Concert | Downtown Plaza |
Friday, May 28th
| TIME | EVENT | LOCATION |
| 4-7PM | Stu Nevermann Run packet pickup | Aquatic Center |
| 5PM | Carnival/Concessions/Marketplace open | Downtown |
| 5PM | Mason City High School Orchestra Concert | Downtown Plaza |
| 6PM | Mason City High School Jazz Band | Downtown Main Stage |
| 7:30PM | High & Mighty | Downtown Main Stage |
Saturday, May 29th
| TIME | EVENT | LOCATION |
| 8AM | 31st Annual Stu Nevermann 4-Mile Memorial Run | Aquatic Center |
| 10AM | 82nd North Iowa Band Festival Parade | North Penn and East State Street |
| Noon | Carnival/Concessions/Market Place Open | Downtown |
| 1:30PM | Mohawk Danzers Performance | Downtown Main Stage |
| 2PM | NIACC Extreme Makeover Announcement | Downtown Main Stage |
| 2PM | Awards Ceremony | Downtown Main Stage |
| 3-5PM | Instrument Petting Zoo | Downtown Plaza |
| 5PM | Brad+Kate | Downtown Main Stage |
| 7:30PM | The Hepperly Band | Downtown Main Stage |
Sunday, May 30th
| TIME | EVENT | LOCATION |
| 9AM | Outdoor Worship Service | Trinity Lutheran Church |
| 11AM-5PM | Marketplace Open | Downtown |
| Noon-8PM | Carnival/Concessions Open (wristband day) | Downtown |
Monday, May 31st
| TIME | EVENT | LOCATION |
| Noon-6PM | Carnival/Concessions Open (wristband day) | Downtown |
We hope you take the time to come out and enjoy this event and all the other events that northern Iowa and Mason City have to offer. If you are looking to relocate to Mason City, buy your first home here, or buy your last home here, it would be our privilege to assist you with your move. Give us a call today , 641-424-HOME (4663), and let’s get started! Visit our website for more info.