Moon Tunes ready to kickoff 8th year in Riverside Park

A new season of Moon Tunes at Riverside Park in La Crosse kicks off Thursday night with Bill Miller and the Mayer Brothers Band at Riverside Park.

It is the 8th year of the summer concert series, which began as Noon Tunes in 2012.

It culminates with a celebration of Woodstock to end the year on Sept. 7.

The Thursday concerts will run from 5:30-8 p.m. throughout summer.

Founder Terry Bauer said the event will provide everyone’s favorite music at some point this summer.

“There’s a unique concert every week which is really exciting,” Bauer said. “We have our season of tributes to artists and popular music.”

The gathering in the park has grown in size and popularity, mostly organically, according to Bauer.

“People talked with their friends and family and thought, we have free concerts here which is unique for a lot of cities,” Bauer said. “All ages can attend and the music is phenomenal. And obviously you can’t beat the setting.”

Performers will play on a temporary stage, just recently constructed by volunteers. The original band stand is currently undergoing repairs, and a shell will be put over top.

Bauer promises the wait will be worth it.

“The finished product is going to be iconic,” he said. “Full trees which ties into La Crosse’s logging history. Artistic lines represent the blue bridges, and the canopy will be lit up at night.”