Just like a circus under the Big Top, a huge tent will cover several well-attended offerings held by the West Wind Supper Club during River Falls Days, running the entirety of this coming weekend. The activities, which mark the West Winds’ foray into becoming the go-to venue for the annual city festival, begin with a parade and include two bands, a boxing show, bingo and lots and lots of food.
The Friday parade on Main Street starts at The West Wind — located at 709 N. Main — at 6:30 p.m. and immediately following the parade’s conclusion, at 7:30 or 8 p.m., is live music under the tent by The Coxmen.
On Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. is a River Falls Fire Department fundraiser, the chicken and corn feed, with some of the proceeds going for purchase of new safety equipment for the department. From 3-8 p.m. is a bingo marathon with magic ball jackpot and coverall jackpot estimated at $2,500. All bingo proceeds go to the River Falls Youth Hockey Association. After the close of bingo, at 8 p.m., is music by the Stone Daisy Band.
Sunday brings Golden Glove live boxing, with gates opening at 4 p.m. The tournament is provided by Peek-A-Boo Boxing, a popular and well-reviewed local gym ran by resident Boyd Davis that over years has put boxing on the map in River Falls.
West Wind will sponsor an outdoor grill and keep the food going throughout all events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The offerings include pork chops, burgers, brats and hot dogs, as well as a full outdoor bar. Seating for more than 300 people is provided, with more added for Saturday’s chicken and corn feed.
All weekend events are held under a big tent in the West Wind front parking lot that will provide the occasionally needed cover from the partly cloudy to sunny skies that are forecast. The tent goes 40-by-120 feet, complete with a 24-foot stage.
“In the past we have always had quite a few events going on under the same size tent. My hope is to keep that tradition alive and well for many more years to come,” said Tony Leone, owner of the West Wind.
The Coxmen are part of an original Galliform collective, using several instruments to serve up “old-fashioned rural hip hop and rock.” They consist of Dave on fiddle and bass, Brandon on bass and guitar, Andrew on guitar and mandolin, and Drew on drums and harp.
The Stone Daisy band fills all of the stage with tried and true musicians. They include:
– Alicia Brown, an experienced country and rock vocalist with a dynamic voice and stage presence.
– Dave Callies, a familiar face in the metro band scene, having been with many bands, providing screaming guitar licks and pumping rhythms to the likes of So Big and No Promises.
– Fans of country music will know JP Petersen as one of the best country vocalists in local bands. He has worked with several local and regional projects, as well as frequent gigs as a solo singer and songwriter, and has performed all over the Midwest, sharing the stage with country legends Dierks Bentley and Clay Walker. He also provides a powerful rhythm guitar.
– Drummer Chad Molva has been the core of several bands in the Twin Cities market, has shared the stage with regional and national musicians and is a recognized powerhouse of a rhythm player in the metro area, having started on the drums at age eight.
– Larry Ober has played with local bands for years, mastering classic rock, country, jazz, big band and even polka stylings, laying down a low guitar groove.
– Scott Schufman has worked in several Twin Cities-based bands over 25 years, including variety, R&B and blues, and classic rock formats. A true fan of Americana music, his influences include early blues, country, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll. Scott brings piano, organ, and other added sounds to round out the mix.
“The bands were decided on by recommendations from friends, research and a general (desire) to change it up from past years,” Leone said, even though for years they have given a long and strong regional presence.
The boxing show gets underway at 5 p.m. Admission is $12 in advance and $15 at the door. For tickets, call Boyd Davis at (715) 220-0284. The local gym takes its name, Peek-a-Boo, from a popular boxing style where the hands are placed in front of the boxer’s face to offer extra protection.
The club has three of its fighters on the card, Coty Reh at 150 pounds, Mitchell Radcliff at 130 pounds, and Jake Rode at 165 pounds. All have been training for about a year.