Music, food, and fun return to Bruce this summer with the return of the BFest summer concert series and farmer’s market. 

“It started as one of Richland State Bank’s customer appreciation nights,” organizer Pennie Lutz said. “So we have this wonderful little stage that we were only using at Honey Days, and we were excited to have live music for the bank event. And everyone just loved it. So we said to ourselves, why aren’t we using this stage more often? And we have this fun, little park to use with lots of shade and that type of thing. So we started talking and people were like, yeah, but let’s do like a farmer’s market too, if we can. And it’ll just be a fun night for the entire town and the area.”

This season’s festivities kicked off May 29 with a performance by Brookings musicians Emma Nichole & Friends. The next show will feature Bruce area musician Lizzy Hofer. 

“Lizzy Hofer played with us last year, with Travis Denison and she’s back next week (June 12),” Lutz said. “Lizzy is a local Bruce girl, so it’s always fun to have her come back. She won a contest last year down in Florida and got some studio time to cut an album. She’s doing great things, so it’ll be exciting to have her back.”

The shows continue with Hickory Wind, a band of hometown Bruce musicians, performing July 10. Then on Aug. 14, Greg DeRynck, who lives just outside Bruce, will come to town and take to the stage. 

On Sept. 11, an open mic night will be held, showcasing anyone brave enough to share their musical talent with the crowd. Area musicians or bands interested in performing one or several songs should sign-up before Sept. 4 by contacting Lutz at 605-627-5671.

The concerts all start at 7 p.m. at the Bruce Museum Park, and visitors are encouraged to bring along a lawn chair or golf cart to relax in during the show. The music is always preceded by a farmer’s market, starting at 6 p.m., featuring a wide array of items being sold by local area producers. 

“We have some local persevered foods, and some baked goods,” Lutz said. “This time we’re going to have Langland Cattle Company there, too. She has some items she makes from products from cattle. SVP Dairy has been there every time and they have a lot of hand lotion, creams, soaps, things they make from milk. And she also has jams, granola, and those types of things. We have someone who brings a whole array of different spices. It’s just a big variety of different things.”

Once again this year, BFest in Bruce is sponsored by Richland State Bank, Adee Honey Farms, the City of Bruce, the Bruce Community Club, and the Volga Tribune.

Lutz said they’re grateful to see so much community support for both the concert series and farmer’s market.

“I just see this definitely as a tradition that’s going to keep going on,” Lutz said.