Staring Lake Park was the place to be on Sunday, June 9, as the 34th annual Minnesota Festival of Jazz on the Prairie delivered a spectacular day of music and community spirit.
The event brought together jazz aficionados and casual listeners alike, all enjoying the toe-tapping tunes in picture-perfect weather.
Hosted by the Jazz on the Prairie Big Band, the festival showcased seven local jazz big bands, marking the unofficial start of the summer jazz season in the Twin Cities. The day kicked off with the Just Friends Big Band at noon and featured performances by the Bend in the River Big Band, Genesis Jazz Orchestra, River City Jazz Orchestra, ACME Jazz Company, and Good News Big Band. The Jazz on the Prairie Big Band closed out the festival with a grand finale performance.
Held alongside the festival, the Eden Prairie Noon Rotary Club’s Rib Fest 2024 fundraiser added to the festivities. Beyond offering great food, the fundraiser supported various local and international service projects. Proceeds benefited My Book Day, which promotes literacy by providing Eden Prairie first graders with their own hardcover book, and Onward Eden Prairie, which offers housing and services for homeless youth.
Additionally, the funds supported student scholarships and initiatives such as Let’s Go Fishing, which offers fishing and boating excursions for seniors, veterans, and youth. The fundraiser also contributed to international efforts in clean water provision, disease prevention, and economic growth.
Comments
We offer several ways for our readers to provide feedback. Your comments are welcome on our social media posts (Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn). We also encourage Letters to the Editor; submission guidelines can be found on our Contact Us page. If you believe this story has an error or you would like to get in touch with the author, please connect with us.