Free concert series to start Wednesday in downtown Shakopee

Shakopee Valley News

After losing Derby Days, Shakopee lost a certain "something."

Rhythm on the Rails aims to bring it back.

"Rhythm on the Rails has an opportunity to put us back on the map," Director of Downtown Shakopee Elliot Johnson said.

The free concert series in downtown Shakopee starts on Wednesday. The first band will be Church of Cash, a Johnny Cash tribute band.

"It'll be a really fun performance, to say the least," Johnson said. "Johnny Cash is iconic so whether you like country or not, I think we are all familiar with some Johnny Cash tunes, so it should be something enjoyable for everyone."

The series will be every Wednesday for five weeks from 6 to 10 p.m.

In addition to the concert, there will be food vendors, shops and a kids area with inflatables and free face painting.

"There's such a sense of small-town pride, in a large suburban area like the Twin Cities, that I think Shakopee owes it to itself to have a summer festival that is one to remember for all ages," Johnson said.

The first summer is projected to have anywhere from 750 to 1,300 attendees every Wednesday. In three to five years, it could grow to 7,000 to 10,000 Johnson said.

"The amount of business support that has been put into this concert series, I think should show in itself how excited Shakopee is about this," he said.

With free admission, there's no reason not to go, Johnson said. 

"Make sure you stop by, even if it is for 30 seconds, just to get a glimpse of the pride a lot of Shakopee residents have for what's going on in our community," he said.

With the first concert around the corner, it's about spreading the word at this point.

"The more people we can have saying 'Rhythm on the Rails' the better, in my opinion," Johnson said. "Fire the alarms and spread it to the masses."