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    Sunny skies, savory ribs, and smooth tunes highlight Minnesota Festival of Jazz on the Prairie

    EPLN Staff ReportsBy 2 Mins Read
    Linnea Nelson-Marrin, singer for the Bend in the River Big Band, points to the crowd during their performance at the Minnesota Festival of Jazz on the Prairie at Staring Lake Park on Sunday. The Bend in the River Big Band was one of seven bands to entertain the crowd.
    Linnea Nelson-Marrin, singer for the Bend in the River Big Band, points to the crowd during the band’s performance at the Minnesota Festival of Jazz on the Prairie at Staring Lake Amphitheatre in Eden Prairie on Sunday. The Bend in the River Big Band was one of seven bands to entertain the crowd. Photo by Jeremy Peyer

    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 Jazz on the Prairie Big Band performs Sunday at the Minnesota Festival of Jazz on the Prairie, while kids dance to the music in front of the stage. Video by Amy Nylander

    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.

    Brad Freeman shows off a couple of slabs of ribs during the Eden Prairie Noon Rotary Club’s Rib Fest fundraiser Sunday at Staring Lake Park, held in conjunction with the Minnesota Festival of Jazz on the Prairie. Photo by Jeremy Peyer

    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.

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    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.

    Rich Weaver and Brad Freeman stand in front of the ribs being cooked during the Eden Prairie Noon Rotary Club’s Rib Fest fundraiser at Staring Lake Park on Sunday. The fundraiser was held alongside the Minnesota Festival of Jazz on the Prairie. Photo by Jeremy Peyer.

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