Merrill
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Normal Park Gazebo Bandstand
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7/15/2019; Lincoln Co. Centennial, 1975, totem pole and Normal School Garden at Normal Park.
In 2011, the Merrill City Band celebrated its 100th year at the new Gazebo at historic Normal Park. Impetus for its development was the Lydia Bauman family who had wished to honor Lydia's husband, Stan, who had passed in 2004, and to give something to the community in his memory. They were great supporters of the Merrill City Band and thus decided to fund the Gazebo bandstand. At that time, the City Band had no permanent home. The Bauman's contributed $80,000 for the Gazebo; the band gave additional funds to cover excess costs. When determining they style of the Gazebo/bandstand, people liked the one in Mosinee. However, they opted to make it larger so the Merrill City Band would fit easily into it. Several benches with inscriptions that are dedicated to individuals or families on them encircle the Gazebo.
The dedication of the Gazebo and 100th year celebration of the City Band was June 29, 2011. The Merrill City Band has a publication, "Home Sweet Home" telling the history of the band, the 2011 programming schedule, "Thank Yous" to all the supporters, along with construction photos of the Gazebo. Originally, this celebration/dedication was to be June 22 (as noted on the schedule in the publication), but rain moved the it to the following week.
The Gazebo hosts Concerts in the Gazebo (Wednesday evenings) and Gazebo Nights (Thursday evenings) during the summer. The Gazebo is available through the City Parks for other events and has been used for weddings, parties, community events, family reunions, food pantry collections and other community functions.
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