Music in the Park was cancelled Wednesday, after the area received 35 hundredths of an inch in rainfall and quarter to golf ball sized hail.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued Wednesday afternoon, extending into the evening and a tornado watch was in effect until 11 pm.

“We decided to postpone everything because it just didn’t make sense to keep everybody outside,” Lila Harstad, Rugby Lions Club board member, said.

The four-part evening was to feature Jessie Veeder, voted North Dakota’s “Favorite Folk Artist” at the 2016 North Dakota Music Awards, as the main entertainer, a hamburger picnic, Art in the Park and a Classic Car Show.

Activities have been postponed and are now scheduled for Wednesday, August 10.

Tigirlily will be the evening’s entertainment, which is exciting for Rugby, as the duo is one of the more popular acts featured at Music in the Park.

As for Art in the Park, Pat Bye, coordinator, said that about half a dozen local artists were expected to show their artwork, which were to include paintings, drawings, metal sculptures and more.

“I like to keep it local,” Bye said. “It’s a fun event, and it adds a little something to our Music in the Park.”

One of the local artists that was to be featured Wednesday evening is Caroline Doucette.

Doucette, who has been participating in Art in the Park since its very first year, says that she shares her artwork because of her connection with the community. “Rugby is where I live,” she said. “I want people that know me to see my artwork, and I want those who don’t know me to be introduced to my artwork. It’s a chance for everyone to see what I have been up to for the past year.”

The hamburger picnic being rained out was especially a disappointment, considering the last two scheduled picnics have now been cancelled due to bad weather.

Jeff Miller, Picnic Chairman, said that not only has the equipment used to cook the hamburgers improved over the years, but so has the entire operation.

“I took over the picnics about 10 years ago,” he said. “The first time, we had people waiting almost 30 minutes to get a burger. I said we either buy more grills or I’m not going to be chairman. I just can’t stand to see people waiting that long.”

The picnic allows for people to enjoy freshly made burgers while listening to music and enjoying other aspects of the evening. At the last picnic, about 450 people were able to be served, with a wait of less than two minutes in line.

“We like seeing people coming for Music in the Park and being able to have a picnic out of it,” Miller said. “We enjoy being a blessing to the community.”

Dwight Jelsing said that this is the first year the unofficial Rugby Car Club was to participate in the Classic Auto Show. “We’re expecting about 10-20 cars, but we won’t really know until we get there,” he said. “This is the first time I have tried to pull guys to bring their cars, so it should be really exciting.”

Although scattered thunderstorms are predicted for the evening of August 10 as well, there is hope for the forecast to change and that the event is one that will be as successful as it has been in previous years.

“The art, car show and picnic just add a little something special to Music in the Park,” Harstad said. “It’s just a good time for people to come together.”

For more information on next week’s events, contact Lila Harstad or listen to KZZJ AM 1450 for updates.