Thousands enjoy Sioux City's "Saturday in the Park" music festival each year at Grandview Park.

 
Grant Recipient:  Saturday in the Park

Ted Waitt, co-founder and former chairman and CEO of Gateway, Inc., was there to support Saturday in the Park when it was just an idea. Today, through the Waitt Foundation, he continues to sponsor what has become one of the most anticipated summer events in the Midwest—Saturday in the Park.

Each year since 1991, the Saturday in the Park festival is held at Sioux City’s Grandview Park, providing entertainment for thousands of Siouxlanders and visitors from across the United States with quality music, activities, food and refreshments. More than 30,000 people crowd the natural amphitheater that surrounds the bandshell each year to hear popular headliners such as Santana, Ziggy Marley, The Allman Brothers Band and Buddy Guy perform free of charge.

Saturday in the Park won Iowa’s Award for Best Outdoor Event in 1998.

Counting Crows

Volunteer

Get involved in one of the coolest things that happens in Sioux City every year. Volunteers are always needed to set up the park, run booths, work security, help backstage, clean up and more!

Become a Sponsor

Without the support of sponsors, the event would not be possible! If you or your company is interested in becoming a sponsor of the Saturday in the Park festival, please contact the festival organizers.

About Saturday in the Park

Saturday in the Park began innocuously enough in the winter of 1990, with a bunch of friends sitting around, rhetorically saying, “How cool would it be if someone would put on a real music festival in Sioux City, up at the bandshell?” This was not the first time this bunch had talked this talk. But, for some reason, this time, the talk took off. Someone said, “Why don’t we just try to pull this thing off?”

Two or three months later, the idea had what felt like real momentum. A real team had formed. Cy Chesterman, in the form of Coca Cola, stepped up to become the first benefactor. The city council, with a ton of help from Joanne Grueskin, gave the OK to set it up. Then, the still young Gateway 2000 signed up to help. Food vendors thought it was a good idea. And, a date was set: July 6, 1991.

That day came around, the weather was great, the bands and the first food vendors showed up. And so did the people, some just as the sun was rising.

Resources/Media

Saturday in the Park Web site
Facebook
Twitter