Angie Reinoehl/PCT Kat Perkins, center, is a familiar name in North Dakota, performed at Ellery Park on Wednesday, July 31, for the Rugby Lions Club Music in the Park.

National entertainer Kat Perkins took the stage at Ellery Park in Rugby to entertain hundreds on Wednesday, July 31. The crowd was singing and clapping along to her various covers of rock and country songs.

This is the 29th year of Music in the Park and was started by avid Rugby Lions members Mark Carlson and Kathy Kirchofner in 1996.

The events draw an average crowd of 250 people but in the past the bands have attracted crowds up to 600 people from Rugby and the surrounding area.

The Lions Club tries to bring in a variety of new entertainment every year. In the past they have brought in big bands before they made it big. Sister duo Tigerlily Gold is among Music in the Park alumni that have made it into the top music charts and onto billboards in New York’s Times Square.

“Our whole area likes music – our whole community likes music. It’s for people to come and enjoy. They not only listen to music, but they bring and visit with their friends afterwards. It is a small town and kids can be playing on the play equipment, you can hear a train go by. But you can sit out here and enjoy free music and ice cream,” Kirchofner said.

There are three 7 p.m. Music in the Park concerts left for the summer 2024 season. On Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. will be Classic Rhythm; Aug. 14 will be Ryan Keplin – Fiddling Lefty; and the final show will be Aug. 21 featuring Dakota Keys.

If there is inclement weather, the alternative concert location will be at the Rugby Fairgrounds.