For years, Moeller Nights’ GARP Fest has rocked the barn at Codfish Hollow Barnstormers in rural Maquoketa, quickly becoming recognized

Codfish Hollow Barnstormers in rural Maquoketa has postponed several concerts due to Covid concerns.

as one of the Midwest’s best events. But on short notice this year, the barn made the difficult decision to temporarily cease performances, leaving the beloved festival without a venue. After cancelling last year due to the pandemic shutdown, this comes at a challenging time.

Responding quickly to the closure of GARP’s original venue, Davenport-based River Music Experience has stepped in as a co-producer to bring the festival to Rock Island. RME and Moeller Nights will coproduce this year’s “Baby GARP” festival on Saturday, Sept. 11, from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.

RME had already reserved Schwiebert Park in downtown Rock Island for a concert on Saturday (the scheduled date of GARP), featuring local Grateful Dead tribute band Winterland, and

Schwiebert Riverfront Park in Rock Island will host a “Baby GARP” Fest on Saturday, Sept. 11 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Aaron Kamm & The One Drops. Working closely with Downtown Rock Island, Rock Island Parks & Recreation, and Bent River Brewing Company, the coproducers combined their two events and have quickly put all the pieces in place for a memorable night of music on the riverfront, with the City of Rock Island supporting the event as presenting sponsor.

“We immediately knew we needed to step up and help make this happen,” Tyson Danner, RME’s executive director, said Monday. “These kinds of partnerships are what it takes to create a truly collaborative, diverse, and growing music culture.”

The lineup for the fest includes comedian James Austin Johnson, Christopher Porterfield of Field Report, TORRES, Paw Paw Rod and Petey.

Full day tickets are $50, and $20 after 6 p.m., at the gate only. Kids under 12 will be admitted free. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.rivermusicexperience.org.

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Sean Leary Director of Digital Media

Sean Leary is an author, director, artist, musician, producer and entrepreneur who has been writing professionally since debuting at age 11 in the pages of the Comics Buyers Guide. An honors graduate of the University of Southern California masters program, he has written over 50 books including the best-sellers The Arimathean, Every Number is Lucky to Someone and We Are All Characters.