What Hastings Is Talking About Today (Community Edition ▲ August 1, 2025)
The Hastings High School Marching Band and Color Guard delivered an impressive performance at Rivertown Days on Sunday, July 20th. Their spirited music filled the air under the Rotary Pavilion at Levee Park, captivating the audience with each note.
Hey neighbors! Your friendly HastingsNow reporter here, dishing the scoop on this week’s events—from rockin’ 80s tributes and music festivals by the river to kids’ carnivals, farmers markets and movie nights. Pull up a chair and enjoy with big smiles.
Music & Performances
High‑Energy 80s Tribute at Levee Park (July 31)
The Music + Market concert series kicked off last night with Double Down, a high‑octane 1980s tribute band. Levee Park’s Rotary Pavilion transformed into a free riverfront concert hall: vendors opened at 6 p.m., kids flocked to the “Kids Zone” at 6:30 p.m., and Double Down’s two‑hour set of Prince, Bon Jovi and Cyndi Lauper classics ran from 6:30–8:30 p.m. Food trucks including Caffeinated Rooster, Mi Raiz and Eggroll Queen kept everyone fed while the makers market offered handmade goods. Free parking, a smoke‑free environment and leashed pets make this series inviting for everyone. Rain or shine, it’s a chance to dance on the riverfront.
👉 Link: Music + Market – Double Down 80s Tribute
Sunday Sessions: Nick Fox & the MetroGnomes (Aug 3)
Hastings’ patio culture shines at Me & Julio’s Sunday Sessions. On August 3 the series features Nick Fox & the MetroGnomes from noon to 3 p.m. on the restaurant’s patio. This casual live‑music series runs throughout summer, offering local musicians, bingo, trivia, meat raffles and karaoke on different days. Grab a brunch taco, sip a margarita and let Fox’s soulful vocals serenade you. The Sunday Sessions run rain or shine and remind us that sometimes the best stage is a sunny patio.
👉 Link: Me & Julio Sunday Sessions
70s Magic Sunshine – A Groovy Throwback (Aug 7)
Next week, the Music + Market series returns with 70s Magic Sunshine Band, a live tribute to Top 40 hits from Hall & Oates, Elton John and The Eagles. From 6:00–8:30 p.m. vendors and food trucks will line the riverfront, the Kids Zone opens at 6:30 p.m., and the band’s high‑energy show runs 6:30–8:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to break out their bell‑bottoms and enjoy hits that defined disco and soft rock. As always, admission and parking are free and the event is smoke‑free and pet‑friendly.
👉 Link: 70s Magic Sunshine Band at Music + Market
Movie in the Park – Inside Out 2 (Aug 8)
Family movie night returns to Levee Park on August 8. Activities with Pleasant Hill Library kick off at 7:30 p.m., offering candy, book and coloring giveaways plus chalk, yard games and hula hoops. At 8:30 p.m., the free outdoor screening of Disney/Pixar’s Inside Out 2 begins. Sponsored by Ardent Mills, the event encourages attendees to bring a non‑perishable food donation for Hastings Family Service and to pack blankets or lawn chairs. The Parks & Recreation department notes that the event will be cancelled only for severe weather, not light rain or wind.
👉 Link: Movie in the Park – Inside Out 2
Community Celebrations & Youth Programs
National Night Out (Aug 5)
On Tuesday, August 5 Hastings residents will celebrate National Night Out, a nationwide evening dedicated to building community and strengthening relationships with law enforcement. Dozens of neighborhood block parties are registered across the city, but those without a local party are invited to Lions Park (1043 5th St. W) from 5:30–7:30 p.m. for a community block party. The city promises a petting zoo, resource booths, inflatable obstacle course, yard games, bounce house and slide, plus a free hot dog meal thanks to sponsors like Cub Foods and Culver’s. If you’ve never met the officers patrolling your neighborhood, this is your chance to shake hands, share a laugh and maybe snag a balloon animal.
👉 Link: City of Hastings – National Night Out
Rec + Art + Police – Conzemius Park (Aug 6)
The Rec + Art + Police program brings Recreation and Police staff to local parks with free activities, snacks and giveaways. On Wednesday, August 6 the team visits Conzemius Park from 1:00–2:00 p.m. with an obstacle course and a creative “nature bouquet” project. This summer series, sponsored by Country Financial and SC Toys, rotates through different parks on the second and fourth Wednesdays; the program aims to foster positive relationships between kids and officers. Bring the kiddos for a midday romp and let them discover that police officers are creative neighbors who know how to have fun.
👉 Link: Rec + Art + Police Schedule
Back to School Carnival (Aug 14)
School supplies and cotton candy don’t usually appear in the same sentence, but Homestead Community Church combines them perfectly. On August 14 from 6–8 p.m. the Hastings campus hosts a Back to School Carnival featuring inflatables, classic carnival games, sweet treats and free backpacks filled with supplies for students in need. This free, all‑ages event at 602 Vermillion Street invites families to celebrate the end of summer together and offers an easy way to support neighbors by sponsoring a backpack (a $40 donation funds one). Church organizers encourage volunteers and remind attendees to bring friends and neighbors.
👉 Link: Back to School Carnival – Homestead Church
Champion Force Athletics Cheer Program (Sept 11 – Dec 11)
Calling all aspiring cheerleaders! Champion Force Athletics is enrolling for its fall cheer program at Hastings Middle School. From September 11 to December 11, classes meet Thursday evenings in the wrestling room. Division 1 (ages 4–6) meets 5:30–6:15 p.m., Division 2 (ages 7–8) meets 6:15–7:00 p.m. and Division 3 (ages 9+) meets 7:00–7:45 p.m. Each 45‑minute session costs $10 and focuses on skills, teamwork and confidence; the program is led by instructor Carley Eichmann. Families should note cancellations on Oct 16 and Nov 27 and can register using class code 16274.
👉 Link: Champion Force Cheer – Fall 2025
Just For Kix Dance Classes – Little Dreamers & More (beginning Aug 19)
Dance lessons are back, and Just For Kix offers a smorgasbord of options for tiny dancers. One highlight is the Tuesday Tiny Kix – Little Dreamers class for ages 3–5. This class runs from August 19, 2025 through May 12, 2026, meeting Tuesdays from 6:15–6:45 p.m. with a tuition of $47 per month. Other offerings include Teeny Kix (ages 2–4), Dance With Me sessions for parents and toddlers, and PreK dance combos. The curriculum emphasizes technique, teamwork and confidence building in a fun, no‑pressure environment. Enrollment is open now, and spots fill quickly—so if your child loves to twirl to Moana, this is your moment.
👉 Link: Just For Kix – Hastings Classes justforkix.com.
Markets & Food
Hope’s Harvest Farmers Market (Wednesdays)
Every Wednesday afternoon the parking lot of Hope Lutheran Church transforms into the Hope’s Harvest Farmers Market. From 2:30–6:30 p.m. local farmers and artisans offer fresh produce, homemade breads and baked goods, jams, honey and handcrafted wares. A rotating lineup of food trucks keeps dinner easy, and there’s often live music to accompany your stroll. Parents appreciate the fenced playground, giving kids a safe space to play while adults shop and socialize. It’s a weekly reminder that good food grows close to home and that supporting local farmers is both tasty and community‑building.
👉 Link: Hope’s Harvest Farmers Market
Conclusion
Hastings thrives on its sense of community, and this week’s lineup proves it. Whether you’re dancing to 70s classics at Levee Park, cheering on your budding gymnast, swapping recipes at Hope’s Harvest or meeting police officers over obstacle courses, there’s something here for everyone. Keep celebrating, stay kind and remember to check HastingsNow.com for the full LOCAL 10 story and daily updates.
If you spot a misstatement or have a hot tip, drop us a line at HastingsNow.com/contact—our newsroom loves neighborly notes!
