Trinity Lutheran Church Pastor John Hulden started “Music on the Blacktop” 13 years as an inspiration from God.
Whether it was spiritual encouragement or the idea stemming from a similar event in the Lutheran community in St. Paul, MN, or both, the result is the 13th annual musical event surrounded by free ice cream, live music, a campfire, community booths, a blood drive and plenty of Christians having a good time.
And it all begins Wednesday, August 26, at 6:30 p.m.
What can someone new to the blacktop experience expect to see Wednesday night?
“It’s a community picnic with Jesus at the center,” Hulden said. “It’s an amazing array of ice cream toppings, the best worship band in the region and very friendly people.”
The proclaimed best worship band in the region belongs to Jay Beech and the Worship Too! Band. As always, Beech will have plenty of great music in store. The ensemble takes the stage beginning at 7 p.m.
Six Appeal, an all male a cappella group from Concordia, begins the evening’s festivities at 6:30 p.m. with the campfire following the music at 8 p.m.
Music on the Blacktop traditionally falls at the end of August each year as the summer begins to come to an end and the school and church years prepare to start once again.
“We do it in time for the changing seasons and it gives everyone a chance to enjoy the outdoors one more time,” Hulden said.
And, as any type of a community function, Music on the Blacktop wouldn’t be possible without donations and volunteer help from Trinity Lutheran members and others in the community.
The 50 different ice cream toppings had to come from someplace and all the ice cream was donated by Hornbacher’s, Cashwise and Sun-Mart.
With the weather cooperating everything is aligned for another great evening at the 13th annual event.
In Hulden’s mind what would constitute a successful event?
“Between 600 and 1,000 ice cream bowls,” he said.
As the event is free there aren’t tickets taken and no head count is conducted. The only way to estimate is on the number of ice cream bowls used. 1,000 bowls is a lot of ice cream.
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