Part of the IAGenWeb Project
May 24 - 28, 2018 Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
KIMT-3 News
The Klempnauer Award started in 1993 as a way to recognizes an “unsung hero” of the festival.
It’s presented to someone who goes above and beyond behind the scenes in the north Iowa community to support the band festival’s musical tradition.
Through the years, Fisher helped organize the parade’s Trombone Fanfare and he continues to play in the Mason City Municipal Band. He’s also the co-coordinator for TubaChristmas.
During Band Festival weekend he emcees the Thursday night kickoff, and he’s participated in the band festival parade itself since high school.
In recent years you’ll find him along the sidelines, broadcasting live coverage of the parade on KGLO radio.
The 80th North Iowa Band Festival runs May 24-28. The Band Festival parade is May 26 at 10 a.m.
This year’s theme is “Totally 80s.”
Musical entertainment is set with “Betty & the Gents” and “The Dweebs” on Friday May 25.
Saturday’s acts include “Brad & Kate” and “Decoy.”
For more on the festival go to www.nibandfest.com.
Globe Gazette
by Steve Bohnel
The Grand Marshal Award, which honors people who have significantly contributed to the development, history and/or success of the festival, was given to Fred and Ila Mare Fenchel. According to a news release from the Chamber, Fred has been a Chamber of Commerce Ambassador for six decades, and was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. His wife, Ila Mae, has also been a key part to the festival's success, according to Chamber President and CEO Robin Anderson.
"If it’s raining, Ila Mae is right there to hand Fred an umbrella to shelter the royalty," Anderson said in a statement. "But rain or shine, they’re both sporting a welcoming smile."
McEniry retiring after 32 years with Mason City Schools, 38 Band Festival parades
Globe Gazette
By Steve Bohnel
The days could stretch on — he would work nights with his wife Ila Mae on their entertainment agency — but he always made time at the dinner table for his three children: Denise, David and Duane.
That work ethic, along with how Fred treated people, is how one of his sons wants the longtime Mason City resident remembered.
"Everything about the man," said David Fenchel about dad's legacy. "Who he was, what he stood for, his commitment to his family, his commitment to his friends. His work ethic in my eyes was unmatched." Fred Fenchel died April 12 at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City. He was 95. His commitment and love to the Mason City community is evident in his obituary. Fenchel was the longest serving member of the Mason City Chamber of Commerce's Ambassadors Committee. He was a past president of the River City Kawanis Club. He was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. And he was a volunteer at numerous North Iowa Band Festivals throughout the years. Despite his tireless worth ethic, he didn't want any extra recognition — and always treated everybody his met with respect and compassion. "I was always impressed by my father, the commitment to the community and the willingness to engage with people at all levels, from the people who set up the chairs to the board of directors," David said about his work at the North Iowa Band Festival. Kativa Weitzel, program director for the Mason City Chamber of Commerce, said Fenchel's commitment to North Iowa was apparent — no matter what organization he volunteered for. "He never said no," Weitzel said. "If you asked him to help out with something, he always gave his opinion and he always showed up. You could always count on Fred."
That was especially true with the Ambassadors committee within the Chamber, she added. "If he wasn’t there, people were very confused on where to go and what to do," Weitzel said with a laugh.
Fenchel was also actively involved in the Mason City Community Theater, where he participated in the 1968 production of "The Music Man."
"They really got the chance to see my dad flourish in the role of Mayor Shinn," his son David said about those who saw that play.
Fenchel will be honored at this year's North Iowa Band Festival, as he and his wife Ila Mae were the recipients of the Grand Marshal Award, which honors people who have significantly contributed to the development, history and/or success of the festival. Colleen Frein, the membership director and community concierge of the Chamber, said Fenchel was a greeter for the kings and queens of the festival for several years. He was an integral part of helping run the festival, she added. Perhaps more importantly, Frein remembers Fenchel as a warm, compassionate person.
"He and his wife, upon meeting me, greeted me with a hug," Frein said about the first time she met him. "He was just a kind person who just really wore his emotion on his sleeve a lot of the time, and cared so passionately about his community, and the groups he was a part of." "There was nobody like him," she added. "When he entered a room, you knew it … we’re gonna miss him as an ambassador."
When Fenchel hit 50 years as an ambassador for the Chamber in 2010, he had a simple reason for why he spent so much time being a supporter for everything in the town he lived in since 1959.
"I love Mason City," he told the Globe Gazette then, latter adding: "I've tried to be a good citizen." Memorials for the family may be sent to Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, 232 2nd St. SE, Mason City, IA, 50401 or Wesley United Methodist Church, 1405 S. Pennsylvania, Mason City, IA 50401.
Globe Gazette
by Courtney Fiorini
The Grand Marshal Award, which honors people who have significantly contributed to the development, history and success of the festival, was given to Fred and Ila Mae Fenchel. The decision was made in November, Chamber of Commerce Program Director Kativa Weitzel said.
Fred Fenchel died April 12 at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City at age 95. Ila Mae watched the parade with her children at IOOF Home & Community Therapy Center.
A convertible, with photos of the couple, drove through the parade route in honor of the Fenchels. Fred Fenchel was a greeter for festival royalty for several years.
“He had tons of chivalry,” Weitzel said. “He really made their day when he greeted them.” Weitzel said losing Fred and not having Ila in attendance left a void in planning the festival as they both mean so much to the event. At right, Ila Mae Fenchel receives a goodie basket from the Mason City Chamber of Commerce Friday before the 2018 North Iowa Band Festival.
Globe Gazette
by Ashley Stewart
The five-day festival, which runs from Thursday to Monday, is an 80-year tradition that showcases local and regional musicians and honors Meredith Willson, a Mason City native, who is best known for his songwriting of the popular Broadway musical “The Music Man,” and instilling a rich musical tradition in the city. Willson died in 1984.
“It’s Memorial Day weekend, and there will be a lot of people in town for the holiday weekend and graduations, so this is an opportunity to get together and have community spirit built up right downtown,” said Kativa Weitzel, festival coordinator.
The North Iowa Band Festival, which has a “Totally ‘80s” theme this year, is in its fourth year downtown. The festival previously had been held in East Park since 1992. Originally, it was held in Roosevelt Stadium and was moved downtown in 1982 after the stadium was torn down. The festival returned downtown in 2015.
“Having (the festival) downtown is great because the local businesses get support and there’s great foot
traffic to see what we have to offer,” she said. The event is the largest free marching band competition in the Midwest, and it draws thousands of tourists annually.
Last year, tourism brought in an estimated $78.6 million into Mason City’s economy. In Cerro Gordo County, tourism generated an estimated $191.37 million in visitor spending which is the 11th highest county level in the Iowa. This year’s band festival will feature ‘80s-themed entertainment and activities for children and adults in celebration of its anniversary.
“All of our entertainment is free to view,” Weitzel said. “The only thing you have to pay for is if you buy something at the carnival or concessions.”
The festival will open at 6 p.m. Thursday with performances by musicians from the Mason City Municipal Band and students from the Middle School Band. The carnival is open from 6 to 8 p.m.
On Friday, the carnival, marketplace and concessions will open at 5 p.m. The evening will feature performances from The Mohawk Danzers and the Mason City High School Orchestra.
Betty and the Gents, a local band, will kick off Friday night with a mix of music for all ages, and the Dweebs, a family band from Somerset, Wisconsin, will follow with its high-energy variety rock show featuring stage antics, crowd participation and tribute character appearances. Both bands have performed at the festival in the past.
Saturday is a jam-packed day starting with the 29th annual Stu Nevermann Memorial Run at 8 a.m. at the Aquatic Center, followed by the annual band festival parade at 10 a.m.
Weitzel said the parade, which follows a route on North Pennsylvania Avenue and East State Street, will feature more than 100 floats and 13 North Iowa marching bands.
During the parade, the event’s grand marshals Fred and Ila Mare Fenchel, who have significantly contributed to the development, history and success of the festival, will be publicly honored.
Fred Fenchel died April 12 at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City. He was 95.
The carnival, concessions and marketplace will open at noon Saturday. The Mason City Jazz Band will perform at 1:15 p.m. and the awards ceremony and North Iowa Area Community College Extreme Makeover announcement will take place at 2 p.m.
Saturday entertainment will feature two new bands to the festival.
Brad & Kate, a married music duo from Iowa, will play a variety of music, including covers and original songs, Saturday evening, and Decoy, a Des Moines-based pop-rock band, will round out the evening.
Weitzel said this year’s festival will add an instrument petting zoo with the help of Rieman Music of Mason City that will allow children and adults to try out different instruments in hopes of sparking an interest in music. “It’ll be a fun little area to light the inner musician of those younger children,” she said.
Sunday will consist of an outdoor worship service at 9 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, marketplace and carnival, and on Monday, the carnival and concessions will be open. Carnival wristbands Sunday and Monday are $20. “Definitely participate in something,” Weitzel said. “You don’t have to come to everything, but it’s great to come down and see everyone.”
According to the National Weather Service, there’s a chance for showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Thursday and after 2 p.m. Friday, and Saturday, Sunday and Monday are filled with sunshine and temperatures in the 80s.
Weitzel said organizers are keeping an eye on the weather. In case of rain Saturday, the parade will be delayed
in half-hour increments and if it doesn’t clear by 11:30 a.m., it will be canceled. Decisions about evening entertainment will be made by 5 p.m. each night.
For more information about the North Iowa Band Festival, visit its website www.nibandfest.com or its Facebook page.
To return to this webpage, click on your browser's "back" button.
Miss North Iowa, Katie Hiry from Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock High School, and North Iowa Band Festival King, Shaden Tweeten from Forest City High School
Mason City Chamber of Commerce
For the fourth consecutive year, Lake Mills High School was awarded the Meredith Willson Sweepstakes prize, which is awarded to the high school marching band with the overall highest score. As host schools for the event, Mason City High School and Newman High School marching bands are not eligible for the competition, and their royalty are not eligible to be crowned festival queen and king. To encourage participation in the marching band competition from area schools, the North Iowa Band Festival Committee provides travel stipends to each participating band. The schools that marched in this year’s parade represent more than 30 communities with a long history of participation in the festival parade.
Parade Awards: Mr. Toot Award — (presented to the entry with the most originality, artistic quality, and well-crafted design based on a theme of their choice) The North Iowa Band Festival is sponsored each year by the Mason City Chamber of Commerce to honor of the region’s musical heritage. Corporate donations and the volunteer efforts of scores of people enable the Chamber to offer the festival as a FREE family-friendly event for all North Iowans to enjoy. An outdoor community church service will be held at 9AM on Sunday, May 27 at Trinity Lutheran Church. The carnival and concessions continue beginning at noon on both Sunday and Monday in Downtown Mason City. The carnival will hold “Wrist Band Days” both days, providing unlimited rides for $20 each day.
Photographs by Chris Zoeller, courtesy of The Globe Gazette & Mason City Chamber of Commerce
|
MASON CITY, Iowa – The North Iowa Band Festival named Bob Fisher this year’s Klempnauer Award winner.
MASON CITY -- The Chamber of Commerce has announced the honorees for the 80th North Iowa Band Festival. The festival, which will take place in downtown Mason City, is Memorial Day weekend, May 24-28. It will sport a "Totally 80s" theme to celebrate the festival's 80th year.
The Klempnauer Award, named for long-time volunteer and festival supporter Dan Klempnauer, is meant to recognize an "unsung" hero who works behind-the-scenes during the festivities.
This year's winner is Bob Fisher, a three time All-State musician and long-time member of the Mason City Municipal Band. As news director for Alpha Media USA, he broadcasts the parade live to listeners, according to a news release.
The Band Master Award — first given in 1990 to honor a retiring band master who has worked extensively in educating local youth in music education — was given to Mike McEniry.
McEniry is a retired Mason City High School band instructor at Mason City High School. He also conducted the high school's jazz band performances, and still partakes in the Municipal Band. This year will be his 39th Band Festival Parade.
MASON CITY -- Decades ago, Fred Fenchel would work an eight-hour shift at Metalcraft, Inc. in Mason City as the organization's advertising manager.
"It's a hard decision to make and they deserve it," Weitzel said. "Their children were thrilled when they heard." 
MASON CITY -- Downtown Mason City will likely draw thousands this weekend for the North Iowa Band Festival, a longtime music tradition that showcases local and regional musicians.
MASON CITY— For the first time in recent history, the North Iowa Band Festival parade marched through Mason City without the threat of rain. Katie Hirv of Rockford and Shaden Tweeten from Forest City were crowned Band Festival Queen and King under sunny skies. Katie is the daughter of Alex and Tammie Hirv and plans to attend Wartburg this fall. Shaden’s parents are Terry and Shelby Tweeten. He will attend Iowa State University.
Marching Bands:
© Copyright 1996-
Cerro Gordo Co. IAGenWeb Project
All rights Reserved.