Calling Country Fans

LAKESIDE ASHLAND TO HOST FIRST MUSIC FESTIVAL AT NEW VENUE.

BY ZOLA CROWDER

Get ready to let your inner cowboy shine at Lakeside Ashland’s very first music festival.

The Midwest Country Fest is from 3-10 p.m. Aug. 19-20 and will showcase 10 artists with Granger Smith, featuring Earl Dibbles Jr., as the headliner. Nic Parks, owner of Lakeside Ashland, says the venue was actually built for concerts and festivals, not just outdoor movie nights, which have been a popular use of the new facility. “The lawn is built to have standing room for 10,000 people,” he says. “And we think country music is a really good fit.”

This family-friendly festival will not only have live country music, but there also will be a playground, mechanical bull, vendors, draft beer trailers, frozen slushies and many more activities available to make the event truly memorable. “Our restaurant can serve up to 1,000 people and we serve burgers, pizza, fried food and more,” Parks says. “We estimate about 3,000 people at the festival, so we may invite a few food trucks to serve in addition to our food to accommodate the large crowd.”

No outside food or drink will be allowed during the festival.

Along with the activities, attending the festival could be the last chance to see Granger Smith live on stage since “this is his farewell tour,” Parks says. Smith announced in spring his plans to step away from country music in order to pursue ministry.

While dancing will be heartily encouraged, there are sure to be times when you need a rest, so Lakeside encourages bringing chairs or a blanket as there is no actual seating available at the venue.

For folks driving in, there will be a limited opportunity to buy parking passes for the festival, but there also will be several shuttle options available.

You can buy a one or two-day pass for the event, but prices do vary depending on the type of ticket purchased. “The musicians will perform from 3-10 p.m. both days,” Parks says.

On Aug. 19, there will be five artists performing, including headliner Granger Smith featuring Earl Dibbles Jr., Travis Denning, Avery Anna, David Morris and Braxton Keith. On Aug. 20, enjoy Tenille Arts, Kidd G, Bryan Martin, Sean

Stemaly and Matt Jordan.

So, grab your boots, hat and anything else to get you in a country mood, and get ready to get down in the dirt and dance until you just can’t anymore!

WHAT Midwest Country Fest

WHERE Lakeside Ashland

WHEN Aug. 19-20

COST

$19.99-$199.99

WEBSITE

Lakesideashland.com

What’s Going On

THE EVENTS YOU NEED TO KNOW.

Dates and events are subject to change. Please visit the event website for the most up-to-date information.

July

JULY 14

MOVIES IN THE PARK: “FINDING NEMO”

COSMO PARK

JULY 2

RED, WHITE & BLUES AT ROSE PARK ROSE PARK

Celebrate Fourth of July early with Rose Music Hall presenting blues in the park at Red, White & Blues. Listen to The Daves, Fox Deluxe and Buddha Blue at the outdoor concert venue. There will also be beer, tacos, yard games and, of course, music under the stars.

6:30 p.m.; $8-$10; rosemusichall.com

JULY 4

Fire In The Sky Stephens Lake Park

The city of Columbia’s 71st annual Fourth of July Fire in the Sky celebration is set to take place at Stephens Lake Park with music, activities, food trucks and more followed by fireworks at 9:15 p.m. in the eastern portion of the park. Most activities will begin at 6:30 p.m. on the western side of the park, while kids’ activities and live entertainment will take place in the southwestern portion of the park. Additional entertainment at the park amphitheater will take place from 6-9 p.m. Lawn chairs or blankets are encouraged for seating.

6 p.m.; free; como.gov/parks-and-recreation/ special-events/4th-july-fire-sky

Watch a classic movie with your family at Cosmo Park this summer as Columbia Parks and Recreation presents “ Finding Nemo .” Make sure to bring a blanket or lawn chair to watch the film. Concessions and food trucks will be on site.

8:45 p.m.; free; como.gov/parks-and-recreation/ special-events/movies-in-the-park

JULY 18-22

BOONE COUNTY FAIR

BOONE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

The Boone County Fair is back this year with all kinds of activities planned for the multiple day event. Enjoy a pedal tractor pull, the Boone County Fair Pageant, a petting zoo, the bounce house zone, the Pirates of the Colombian Caribbean show, live music, carnival rides and games, face painting, circus and more.

7 a.m.-9 p.m.; $10-$35; theboonecountyfair.com

JULY 21

EMO NIGHT BROOKLYN

THE BLUE NOTE

If you’re a fan of emo and pop-punk jams, The Blue Note is inviting you to Emo Night Brooklyn.

Listen to a late-night DJ-based dance party playing all your favorite emo and punk artist and bands. Get ready to sing, mosh and dance all night long.

9 p.m.; $15-$25; thebluenote.com

JULY 21-23, 28-30

SHOW-ME STATE GAMES

THROUGHOUT COLUMBIA

The Show-Me-State Games are taking place across Columbia, from local high schools to city parks. Compete in your favorite sport from archery, fencing and martial arts, to soccer, track and field, tennis and more. Times vary; prices vary; smsg.org

JULY 22

THE KAY BROTHERS’ SUMMER FISH FRY

ROSE MUSIC HALL

The annual Kay Brothers’ Summer Fish Fry with special guests Molly Healey and Emma Burney will bring all your favorite things together including songs about critters, a critter dinner, beer and a good time. Enjoy beer from Logboat Brewing Co. and tasty fried food from Gator Wagon, including fried catfish, gator tail, swamp platter, Cajun tacos, hushpuppies, taters and more.

6 p.m.; $10-$12; rosemusichall.com

JULY 29

COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF 2023

MIDWAY GOLF & GAMES

Get ready for the next season of Tigers football while supporting a local nonprofit at the annual Countdown to Kickoff. Benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Missouri and presented by Columbia Safety & Supply, enjoy an evening with Coach Eliah Drinkwitz, a live auction and hors d’oeuvres and beverages. The event also provides an opportunity to check out Midway Golf & Games’ latest expansion with the new TopTracer facility and 44 Tavern restaurant.

5:30 p.m.; $100-$150; bigsofcentralmo.org

JULY 31

PEACH PIT: A SUMMERFEST CONCERT EVENT

ROSE MUSIC HALL

Celebrate summer with live music, ice cold beer and a party on Ninth Street in downtown Columbia with indie pop band Peach Pit and special guest Babe Corner. The doors open at 7 p.m. and the show will begin at 8 p.m. All ages are welcome. 8 p.m.; $25-$28; rosemusichall.com

August

AUG. 5

GUSTER: HELLO MISTER SUN TOUR: A SUMMERFEST CONCERT EVENT

ROSE PARK

Continue enjoying the Summerfest concert series with alternative rock band Guster as a part of the Hello Mister Sun Tour. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the show starting at 7 p.m. 7 p.m.; $31-$36; rosemusichall.com

AUG. 11

MOVIES IN THE PARK: “MINIONS: RISE OF GRU”

COSMO PARK

Watch as young Gru tries to join a group of supervillains called the Vicious 6 in “ Minions: Rise of Gru ,” as a part of Movies in the Park presented by Columbia Parks and Recreation. Don’t forget to bring a blanket or lawn chair to watch the screening under the stars. Concessions and food trucks will be on site.

8:30 p.m.; free; como.gov/parks-andrecreation/special-events/movies-in-the-park

AUG. 12

FOURTUNE FEST IV

ROSE PARK

Fortune Fest is back! This celebration of Columbia’s innovative and supportive community features White Reaper, Dos Santos, Madisen Ward, Rochara Knight and the Honey Doves, Reggie Pearl and DJ Seoul Train. Enjoy cold beer, craft vendors from around the state, a carnival and dancing.

3 p.m.; $15-$25; rosemusichall.com

AUG. 17

COOPER ALAN

THE BLUE NOTE

View this up-and-coming country music star, originally from Winston Salem, North Carolina, at The Blue Note in downtown Columbia. This stop in Columbia is one of 21 shows planned for this year. Doors open at 7 p.m. 8 p.m.; $20-$40; thebluenote.com

AUG. 26

KALEIDOSPOKE

MKT TRAIL/FLAT BRANCH PARK/TWIN LAKES RECREATION AREA

Put light on your bike and get ready to glow on the MKT Trail at the Kaleidospoke event. This family-friendly night ride is approximately eight miles from Flat Branch Park to Twin Lakes Recreation Area and back. Riders will also get s’mores and entertainment at a private party before returning. Registration is required. 7-10:30p.m.; $18; parks.como.gov

JUNE 25

COLUMBIA AGRICULTURE PARK FIELD DAY

COLUMBIA CENTER FOR URBAN AGRICULTURE

Enjoy a day of workshops, speakers and tours where you get to learn how to up your smallscale farming skills and even take part in a used tool exchange.

10 a.m.-3 p.m.; free; columbiaurbanag.org

58 Fit and Fresh

63 Memories of Melody

65 Hometown Love

66 Walk to the Beat

Sunscreen Science

Summer is a great time to head outdoors and enjoy some time by the pool or at the beach. But don’t forget to grab the sunscreen! There’s a wide range of SPF available, but dermatologists actually recommend sticking to an SPF of around 30, as that will provide nearly 98% coverage. Anything higher really will only provide a small fraction of protection improvement at a much higher price. But make sure to grab those labeled “broad spectrum,” as that will screen both UVA and UVB rays.