Music and Democracy: Living History in America

The U.S. is 250 years old and the music of the nation has changed often during those years. This program will chronicle highlights of those historical and musical eras. It will include spoken word actors representing Theodore Roosevelt, reenactor brass bands in period dress, a Dakota drum group and singers and a folksinging duo. Other concurrent activities during the event include food and drink vendors, non-profit organizations tabling to educate, inform and recruit visitors, a face-painting and make-your-own art booth and an all-ages bicycle parade around the park.

This is a free and family-friendly event. Children who wish to participate in the bicycle parade are invited to decorate their bikes prior to the event. Decorating supplies will be provided.

Schedule of events:

• 9:45am Greetings and excerpts from the Declaration of Independence
• 10am Imnizaska Drum Group: intertribal Mni Sota Makoce collective
• 10:30am Gettysburg address and Emancipation proclamation
• 10:45am Dodworth Band Saxhorn Band: Civil War/Post Civil War music
• 11:15am Theodore Roosevelt and the progressive era
• 11:30am Northfield Suffragist Singers: Women’s Right to Vote Movement
• 11:45am The Doughboy Foundation’s American Expeditionary Forces Headquarters Band: World War I
• 12:15pm Helen Forsythe and Cliff Martin: Dustbowl years, labor and civil rights struggles
• 12:45pm Reflection on the state of the nation in 2026
• 1pm America’s 250 All-Ages Bike Parade – 2 laps around central park following Grand Marshal Linda Wasner leading the pack on her Vintage Velocipede.