Were our founding fathers fortuitous enough in making the 250th birthday of United States fall on the same day as the 36th annual Saturday in the Park?
Um ... probably not.Â
Still, it wouldn't surprise us if ol' Ben Franklin was really a closet blues fan boy, playing air guitar while SITP headliner Joe Bonamassa strummed a real one in Grandview Park's historic Bandshell. Â
What about Alexander Hamilton? Yeah, we can picture him as being a Tech N9ne aficionado, doing some serious moshing by the Abe Stage, during a set that included "I'm a Playa," "Midwest Choppers" and "Sickology 101."
While the entire nation celebrates America's semi-quincentennial on July 4, SITP attendees will have another reason to party like it's 1776.
After all, who wouldn't be hooting and hollering over a Main Stage lineup that included the critically acclaimed Marcus King Band or an up-and-comer like Evan Honer?
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Similarly, the Abe Stage will include everybody from the fast-rhyming Tech N9ne to the surprisingly lively 2Dead Boyz to Foxpelt, a three-piece band playing everything from emo to alternative rock to punk.
The crowd for That Mexican OT extends up the hill from the Abe Stage at the 2025 Saturday in the Park festival in Grandview Park.
SITP cofounder Dave Bernstein said this year's acts, with the aforementioned Bonamassa at the headliner, is a throwback to the festival's bluesier roots.
Indeed, Bernstein and his friend, Adam Feiges, started Saturday in the Park as a blues festival in 1991.
However, we think this year's array of performers is as eclectic as any other year.Â
Don't believe us? Then ask any of the more than 25,000 people who flock to SITP each year.
Obviously, the major draw is the music. Artists as diverse as Jason Isbell, Aretha Franklin and Bleachers have headlined Sioux City's premier summer music festival in the past.
But wait, there's more than music. SITP is also home to the Kids Zone, Arts Alley and one fantastic food vendor after another.
OK, let's say you don't like music, art or food. SITP is still a terrific place to people-watch.
Fans watch as fireworks end the 2025 Saturday in the Park festival.
Austin, Texas is famous for its "Keep Austin Weird" advertising campaign. So is the equally weird community of Portland, Oregon.Â
Will Sioux City give Austin or Portland a run for their money, weirdness-wise, on July 4?Â
Well, we wouldn't be surprised if we saw some shirtless dudes in powdered wigs or, maybe, a Betsy Ross wannabe with tattoos as colorful as the Stars & Stripes.
You'll get a sneak peek of the weird and wonderful in this supersized edition of the Blues City Journal.
In this issue, we'll profile many of this year's SITP performers, as well as everything you'll experience at this year's festival.
A promotional video provided by Fantasy Drone Shows. The Norfolk, Nebraska, company will present a drone show at the conclusion of the Saturday in the Park music festival on July 4.
Wait, we forgot to mention there is going to be a drone show right before the fireworks go off. That's pretty awesome, right?
Now that you know what's inside this year's explosive Blues City Journal, we'll be off to our next assignment.
You wouldn't happen to know where we could get a cheap powdered wig, now would you? Â
