Washington Evening Journal
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Ladora lines up bands for summer
By Winona Whitaker, Hometown Current
Feb. 14, 2024 10:18 am
LADORA — The Ladora Development Committee is getting ready for summer, lining up bands for June and July, planning the annual Family Day and preparing for a craft and vendor show for the September.
Ladora kicks off the summer June 1 with its first concert night at the pavilion at Wayne Shaull Memorial Field, 804 Iowa Street in Ladora. A dummy board, or bags, tournament starts at 1 p.m. Hatchett’s Catering and Peppy’s Ice Cream will arrive with their food trucks before live music with Meadowland begins at 7 p.m. The band will finish performing about 11 p.m.
On July 27, Four Day Creep will play 70s and 80s music from 7-11 p.m. Food trucks will arrive around 6 p.m.
“Our big event is our one that we have in August,” said Jaimie Goeldner, president of Ladora Development Committee. “That’s our Family Day.” Children’s games, inflatables, dummy boards and rolle bolle will keep families entertained while food trucks keep them fed.
Set for Aug. 24 this year, Family Day usually begins around 11 a.m. or noon, said Goeldner. A silent auction will raise money for the Development Committee from 12-5 p.m.
Standing Hampton will provide live music in the evening, playing 70s and 80s music, a little Rock and a little Country.
“That’s kind of our big event of the year and kind of our moneymaker,” said Goeldner. “Money that we raise during the summer, we donate to help other nonprofits in the community.”
Ladora Development Committee has donated to Gateway Project, Hope Foundation, Iowa County Food Bank and Safe Haven. “In the past three years we have donated over $20,000 to different nonprofits,” said Goeldner. Ladora Development also gives money to the city for letting the Committee use the pavilion.
“This year our big fundraiser is going to be … for ourselves,” said Goeldner. Wayne Shaull Memorial Field needs some upgrades to its bathrooms and bleachers at the pavilion. The Committee also wants to add more playground equipment.
Plans for Family Day haven’t been finalized. “We’ve had a softball tournament in the past,” said Goeldner, and the Committee is trying to organize a children’s tractor pull this year.
A beer tent and food trucks will be part of the event. “Peppy’s Ice Cream usually comes,” said Goeldner.
Anyone who brings four canned food items to Family Day will receive one free drink chip. The food will be donated to the HLV food bank.
The Development Committee is trying to set up something for September this year — a craft and vendor show tentatively set for Sept. 7.
The Committee is still looking for donations for silent auction for Family Day. Anyone who would like to donate or to participate in Family Day should contact Goeldner by calling or texting 319-432-4647 or by emailing jgorsh97@hotmail.com.