Day Trip: 4th
of July
Celebrations
By Leticia Gonzales
Fireworks —
on stage, in the sky
Live music accompanies annual Red, Hot and Boom event
T
here is something magical about a large group of people coming together to enjoy great music, food and fireworks to celebrate the Fourth of July. The City of Mankato gives people the chance to do just that at the annual Red, Hot and Boom celebration at Riverfront Park. Jeff Lang, promotions director at Radio Mankato, has been helping with the event since it was moved to the Riverfront Park location five years ago. It was previously held at Blakeslee Field at Minnesota State University. “A huge crowd came out the first year,” Lang said. “Riverfront Park is a beautiful location.” Lang said the event draws around 5,000 people in the park alone. “I think it has been growing every year,” he said. Spectators can also watch the fireworks show from Veterans Bridge and surrounding areas — which increases the crowd to upward of 10,000. Before the fireworks light up the sky, the 10-piece Powerhouse rock band will put on an entertaining show to get the crowd moving. “We play pretty much a variety of music from pop to swing, to R&B, funk, some Motown,” said Howard Mock, the band’s bass guitarist and vocalist. “We just do a lot of different stuff.” Although it’s the band’s first year to play at the event, Mock, who is also the owner of Rhapsody Music in Mankato, said the group is no stranger to large events. “We have been one of the few bands to consistency play at Ribfest the past 12 years,” Mock said. “The last of those several years have been at Riverfront at that same stage — and it’s just awesome. I don’t think there is a venue that compares to that park. It’s a beautiful park and beautiful stage.” Powerhouse has been a regular performer at Mankato’s Ribfest since 2002, which is one of Mankato’s most well-attended annual festivals. “People really seem to enjoy it and that is
62 • July 2014 • MANKATO MAGAZINE
Red, Hot and Boom lights up the night. | Pat Christman