The 78th annual North Iowa Band Festival will take place this weekend right here in River City. Dana Thomas, Interior Designer for Bergland + Cram, is on the ground floor behind the scenes with planning.
Serving her 4th year on the committee, Dana acts as Volunteer Coordinator for guest services, information, and merchandise sales. Each year the Band Festival committee looks for close to 100 volunteers to help the 65,000 men, women, and children who attend the weekend.
Bergland + Cram enjoys being involved in the community. For Dana, helping the North Iowa Band Festival was a perfect fit.
“I was looking for a fun way to get more involved in the community and this is a huge event for Mason City every year.” Said Thomas, “Growing up I always enjoyed going to the events. I always wanted to give back to the festival for providing this for the community.”
The very first Band Festival in 1928 was to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Mason City and has since grown, with the most popular attraction being the annual parade (that’s on Saturday.)
“I feel like a little kid saying it but I always hate when I miss the parade so I make it a point to be there every year!” said Thomas, “I also appreciate this event is a family friendly and free event for everyone.”
Being the birth place of one of the first ever grammy award winners, Meredith Willson (most famous in these parts for the Music Man), Mason City celebrates music, and the North Iowa Band Festival shows a community coming together, always rooted in its musical heritage.
For more information on the North Iowa Band Festival and for Schedule of events go to: www.nibandfest.com
If you’re interested in seeing one of the first ever grammy awards in person, check out the Music Man Square Museum in Mason City.
