Red Wing Central Park Band Shell: A Follow-Up

Does this guy ever stop talking about the new bandshell?

Apparently not.

It's time for an update on the Red Wing Central Park Band Shell.

This time last year, the park was a mess. Frozen and snow-covered dirt piles were scattered all over the site, making it look like a project that was going to miss the July 4th deadline. However, Red Wing Construction is a very professional company, proud of the product they deliver. They met the July 4th deadline with days to spare.

After the project was completed, Red Wing Construction presented The Jones Family Foundation (the benefactors of the band shell to the City) with a beautifully framed memento. It is a 36"x32" multi-opening custom framed piece showcasing the band shell from different angles and during the very first performance. It also includes a custom embossed mat of the Red Wing Construction logo.

We were proud to provide all of the photographs, the printing, and the framing, and we have since created a few more of these pieces for Red Wing Construction.

The final chapter of the Central Park Bandshell construction

A Remarkable Day in Red Wing

Today was an interesting and memorable day, to say the least. The electricians arrived early to double-check the power and install the sound equipment for the bandshell, which had yet to be fully tested. People also showed up early to set up their lawn chairs before heading home again—it seems an unwritten rule that a lawn chair is a legally binding claim!

At promptly 3:30, the ceremonies began, marking the official opening of the Bandshell. The Jones Family Foundation was thanked for their generous donation to the City of Red Wing. This incredible gift is akin to having a second Sheldon Theatre, but as an outdoor venue.

Rosanne Cash

The festivities included several selections from Fiddler on the Roof (a teaser for an upcoming production) and a performance by Rosanne Cash and her husband. Their 90-minute set was straightforward, professional, and simple, featuring just two guitars—truly a class act. Following their performance, Roomful of Blues picked up the tempo for the next 90 minutes. The skies cleared (despite occasional rain), and the Sheldon Brass Band took the stage, playing mostly traditional John Philip Sousa music.

Sheldon Brass Band

The climax of the event was during Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. Right at the crescendo, cannons began firing, and all the church bells in town started ringing. Red Wing boasts many church bells, and combined with the Brass Band and cannons, it created an incredibly moving experience. Several people began spontaneously crying, and it's hard not to get choked up thinking about it now. The Sheldon Theatre deserves immense credit for making this an unforgettable day in Red Wing history.

It's been fun charting the progress of our newest neighbor, but now it's time to move on to other curious topics.

Central Park Bandshell T minus 3 days

Red Wing Central Park Bandshell: Nearing Completion

The Red Wing Central Park Bandshell is almost 99% complete. The railings still need to be anchored, and the grass requires one last mowing. It seems perfectly sized for the park—not too big and not too small.

Bandshell-front

The six side walls pivot open when needed, and the inside ceiling has a complete lighting system. The purpose of the two round towers on each side isn't clear. They each have doors that, when opened, close the gap between the towers and the shell. These might serve as dressing rooms and off-stage space. One fascinating aspect of this location is that you can see a church steeple in every direction.

From the Bandshell

This is the view from the bandshell looking out. The balustrade wall was built in 1880 when Hamline University owned this land.

Bandshell-behind

Even the view behind the Bandshell is impressive. The activities begin on July 4th at 3 pm with The Sheldon Phoenix Theatre, followed by performances from Rosanne Cash, Roomful of Blues, and the Sheldon Brass Band at 9 pm (complete with cannon), culminating in fireworks over the Mississippi River. It's going to be awesome.

Central Park Band shell T minus 7 days

Red Wing Central Park Bandshell Grand Opening

It's a week before the Red Wing Central Park Bandshell grand opening, and it looks like the project will finish right on schedule. All of the landscaping is in, the roof is finished, and the walls are just being completed. Photos will be posted this week.

This photo shows what the bandshell replaced. It was essentially a semi-circular stage with no walls, roof, or sound (except for those two primitive speakers on each side). One feature that carried over from the old stage is the two small curved staircases in the front.

Green side up!

T minus 12 days.

It is 88 degrees and humid, but dry.

The landscaping and sod arrived this morning and by the end of the day all of the greenery should be installed. In speaking with some of the subcontractors, the project is slightly ahead of schedule.

For anybody who is curious about the mysterious little back door; it leads into a very narrow and small utility room. The circuit breaker box and the water meter are in this room. Which was kind of disappointing.

Central Park Bandshell T minus 17 days

Exciting New Addition to the Bandshell

Today, the first of 32 laminated and tempered glass windows in the back wall of the shell were installed. This promises to be one of the most striking design elements of the Bandshell, as it will open up the entire structure from both sides. The limestone blocks used are quarried in Winona, Minnesota, with each block hand-cut into a random pattern. The keystone blocks are manufactured in a factory.

Rain is forecast for the rest of the week.

Central Park Bandshell T minus 19 days

Bandshell Construction Update

It is hard to tell if the Bandshell is ahead or behind schedule. Today, the irrigation system was installed, and the concrete for the handicap access ramp was also poured. Fill was being spread by the hardworking Sentence to Serve crew. Sentence to Serve are nonviolent offenders who work on community improvement projects. There are mixed feelings about Sentence to Serve labor; on the one hand, working outside is better than killing time in a cell. On the other hand, it is an easy source of cheap labor for communities that can become too easy to use.

The sod is scheduled to be laid on June 29, which seems awfully close to the July 4th dedication. The entire park (one city block) will be re-sodded.