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During a phone interview Tuesday from his cottage in Spartanburg, S.C., Doug Gray — lead singer of the Marshall Tucker Band — gave this forewarning to those attending Saturday’s fifth edition of Party in McKinley Park in Creston.
“Hopefully they’re ready for a damn good time,” the 63-year-old Gray said. “We don’t have trampolines, but our live show will always be fun as long as I’m alive, and I don’t plan on dying anytime soon.”
Marshall Tucker Band hits the road Thursday from South Carolina, Gray said, traveling by charter buses to Peoria, Ill., Friday evening. They will arrive in Creston Saturday and are slated to take the stage at 9 p.m.
“This is huge for us,” said Gary Borcherding, committee board member for the McKinley Park Restoration Project. “It’s been our goal to have nationally-acclaimed entertainment. People are excited about Saturday. When I’m out around southwest Iowa, there has been a buzz about this event.”
Marshall Tucker Band plays about 140 live shows per year and is on the road more than 200 days per year, said Gray.
Tickets
Borcherding said project representatives printed 3,500 advance tickets for Saturday evening, and he expects good attendance, but at this point, he’s “unsure just how many people will attend.”
Advance tickets are still available for $10 each at locations in Creston, Mount Ayr, Osceola and Grant City, Mo. (See info box for specific locations).
“We want to thank our sponsors. Without them, these would not be $10 tickets. It costs $30 to see Marshall Tucker anywhere else in the United States,” Borcherding said.
Gates open at 5 p.m. and tickets there are $15. Parking will be limited with main parking located at the swimming pool and McKinley Park baseball field.
“Parking will be comparable to Creston’s Fourth of July fireworks display. So come early,” Borcherding said.
Supporting cast
Barcode, a popular three-piece band in southwest Iowa, will open for Marshall Tucker Band.
Barcode is made up of three local musicians — Marty Waske, Jeff Norman and Todd Kinkade. They play classic rock covers of ZZ Top, Lynard Skynard and Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR), among others. They’ll take the stage at 6 p.m.
As well, KGGO’s Round Guy makes his second appearance at Party in the Park as event emcee. He’ll take the stage at about 7:30 p.m.
It’s a 16-and-over event and will happen rain or shine, Borcherding said. Alcohol will be sold at the concert, but ticket holders will be carded and assigned a wristband at the gate.
All proceeds from the event will be used directly for the restoration of McKinley Park.