Robbie Nielson smokes the tires of his 1931 Ford Model A rat rod Saturday at the Bland City Park as part of Bland’s Summer Jam. The event raised over $7,800 for the construction of a new amphitheater according to event organizer Rachel Schlottog. Due to a last minute change, proceeds raised are in a private account at Legends Bank with Scholttog and Bland Mayor Lee Medlock as signatories. Donations are still being accepted. They can be sent to Summer Jam at Legends Bank. Turn to page 6 for more photos.

Raegan (driving) and Reese Krause (top right) in their go-cart were the youngest participants in Bland’s parade Saturday. Most residents observed the parade (the first since the early 1990’s), in the shade of Rustic Gardens (far right) and the large oak trees along Colorado Street. Kayla Butler (right) brought her two girls, Ellen (on rope) and Everlyn to the event to collect goodies. The Summer Jam at the park, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., raised funds to rebuild a long lost amphitheater in the Bland City Park, destroyed in an ice storm. The six musicians/bands who performed from noon to close donated their talents. They included Ned Steiner, Ross Steiner, See Tick Ridge, Mistaken Creek Revival, Bad Influence (on stage below and above) and Asylum.