Friends of Meridian Playground (FOMP) will host a “Bandstand Bash” Tuesday afternoon, September 12 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at the covered picnic shelter (also called the Summer House). Meridian Playground is located just southeast of N 50th St and Meridian Ave N. The Summer House is at the southeast edge of the park, between the playground and the Good Shepherd Center, just north of the P-Patch.
Come and enjoy snacks, games, music and dancing. Celebrate the 41st anniversary of the bandstand and learn about its mysterious disappearing crowning decoration. There will be an opportunity to sample some of the heritage apples from the remaining Good Shepherd orchard, play games hosted by the Girl Scouts who work with FOMP, enjoy a DJ’s fine choice of music (from 4:30 to 5:30) and dancing led by the Outdoor Dance Party (from 5:30 to 6:30), who have been dancing Wednesday and Sunday at the bandstand since the beginning of the pandemic. There will be something for everyone in the family to enjoy.
FOMP will have exhibits of historic photos and documents describing the past and present of the bandstand, as well as historic photos from the original Home of the Good Shepherd property. Bring your questions and share your own knowledge about this unique space.
The bandstand has quite a curious past and may not even be legally there. FOMP has found the actual metal finial created by now famous kinetic artist Trimpin that can be seen on the top of the bandstand in the old picture above. At some later date the finial was vandalized and removed. We still don’t know the whole story of the finial’s journey – do you? Help us out if you do.
Hope to see you at the Bandstand Bash!
