Oconomowoc
Rhodee Memorial Band Shell
Flag in Bandshell, 2005
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The Rodee Memorial Band Shell is located on the shores of Lac La Belle at City Beach Park, just west of downtown Oconomowoc.
During the summer, from June through August, the City presents concerts by the American Legion band every Wednesday evenings. The community band was established in 1924 and has performed Wednesday evenings each summer at the band shell. "Bands at the Beach" provides a variety of free music on Friday evenings throughout the summer. In the park, there are memorials to soldiers who have served in WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. |
2010 Dedication Plaque
HISTORY OF THE BANDSHELL
During the Great Depression, public money was used on projects to give citizens employment and to improve communities. The bandshell was one such project, and in 1933, it was built by the Public Works Administration, administered by the Civil Works Administration and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) at the cost of $7,000.
Dedication of the bandshell was July 25, 1934. St. John's Military Academy Summer Camp Bands from Delafield was the main performer and was led by Col. Vesey Walker, of Milwaukee, who later directed the Disneyland Band. The American Legion band also played. (information from a story in the Oconomowoc Enterprise, July 19, 1984: "Anniversary Concert is July 25 by Legion Band").
In 1972, the city council approved contracts for the construction of an extension to the city park band shell platform; construction cost was $2,957 (from Oconomowoc Enterprise, June 8, 1972, "Work Gets Go Ahead").
In 1984, the city celebrated the 50th anniversary of the bandshell and was it was refurbished. (from Waukesha Freeman, June 13, 1984, "Band shell turns a graceful 50"). The Legion band was celebrating its 60th year and played, starting with "America the Beautiful" and ending with Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever". (from a story in the Oconomowoc Enterprise, July 19, 1984: "Anniversary Concert is July 25 by Legion Band").
In 2010, the Band Shell was dedicated to Kenneth and Arthur Rhodee who had dedicated themselves to the management of the American Legion Band.
During the Great Depression, public money was used on projects to give citizens employment and to improve communities. The bandshell was one such project, and in 1933, it was built by the Public Works Administration, administered by the Civil Works Administration and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) at the cost of $7,000.
Dedication of the bandshell was July 25, 1934. St. John's Military Academy Summer Camp Bands from Delafield was the main performer and was led by Col. Vesey Walker, of Milwaukee, who later directed the Disneyland Band. The American Legion band also played. (information from a story in the Oconomowoc Enterprise, July 19, 1984: "Anniversary Concert is July 25 by Legion Band").
In 1972, the city council approved contracts for the construction of an extension to the city park band shell platform; construction cost was $2,957 (from Oconomowoc Enterprise, June 8, 1972, "Work Gets Go Ahead").
In 1984, the city celebrated the 50th anniversary of the bandshell and was it was refurbished. (from Waukesha Freeman, June 13, 1984, "Band shell turns a graceful 50"). The Legion band was celebrating its 60th year and played, starting with "America the Beautiful" and ending with Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever". (from a story in the Oconomowoc Enterprise, July 19, 1984: "Anniversary Concert is July 25 by Legion Band").
In 2010, the Band Shell was dedicated to Kenneth and Arthur Rhodee who had dedicated themselves to the management of the American Legion Band.
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