It won’t be long before music is filling the Hormel Historic Home Peace Garden. In fact, the way the sound bounces off the side of the house, the music often fills more of downtown than just the garden.

And, if the weather threatens us, the show will go on and music will fill the event center.

We are grateful to be able to offer musical events for the community to enjoy. They bring people together with the goal to entertain and enrich people’s lives.

 I like how LZ Granderson, American journalist, describes the experience of live music. “Complete strangers can stand silent next to each other in an elevator and not even look each other in the eye. But at a concert, those same strangers could find themselves dancing and singing together like best friends. That’s the power of music.”

 Mark your calendars to attend the following events and turn a stranger into a friend. All are free with the exception of the instrument making workshop for children on July 17.

Friday, June 15: Summer Music Kick Off Happy Hour with JCA (Jamie Braaten and Cody Yost, formerly of SEEDS), 5-7 p.m. Local favorite in an acoustic show featuring country and rock favorites as well as some fresh originals.

Tuesday, June 19: Tricia and The Toonies- The Happy Days Show, 2:30 p.m. Koncert for Kids inside the event center. Followed by cookies sponsored by the Spam Museum; 6:30 p.m. Peace Garden Concert Music that brings all ages together in fun and dancing with great music and laughter. Think the Shimmy, the Twist, the Swim and the Pony.

Sunday, July 1: The Austin Community Jazz Band, 6:30 p.m. Join us for classic jazz and fun arrangements performed by local musicians.

Tuesday, July 10: Todd Menton, 6:30 p.m. Edgy Celtic/eclectic folk and original music. Featured instruments will be the Bodhron (The Irish Drum), Mandolin and The Tin Whistle.

Tuesday, July 17: Jack & Kitty Emmy Award winning duo specializing in Organic Vaudeville and Jug Band Folk, 10:30 a.m. Instrument Building for preschool through elementary aged kids (limit 30). Must pre-register through the Hormel Historic Home. $3 per child for HHH members, $5 for non-members; 2:30 p.m. “Sounds So Sweet! The History of American Jug Band Music of the 30s,” A concert of Americana jug band music of the 1930s; 6:30 p.m. Peace Garden Concert – Jack & Kitty will perform for all ages to enjoy.

Tuesday, July 24: History of Blues with Joey Leone, 6:30 p.m. Enjoy an assortment of blues, from Pre-War to Texas to Chicago Electric Style Blues, as well as original blues compositions.

Friday, Aug. 3: Dang Ol’ Tri’ole, 6:30 p.m. Four-part vocal harmonies, tight instrumental interplay, high-energy performances, and a great time for all generations. Genres include traditional folk, progressive rock, salsa, and blues.

Tuesday, Aug. 14: Driven By Rhythm, 6:30 p.m. Rochester-based band that has been pleasing audiences around SE Minnesota with classics from the 60s through the 80s.

Oakwood Cemetery Tour,

Mower County Soldier Stories 

3:30 or 5:30 p.m.; 60 minute a tour, Sunday, June 3

Led by Jaimie Timm of the Mower County Historical Society. Cost is $8 for members of the HHH or Historical Society and $10 for nonmembers. Limited to 15 per tour. Tickets available at www.hormelhistorichome.org/calendar

For more information on Hormel Historic Hormel events visit www.hormelhistorichome.org