March 19, 2024

Monroe’s summer bike night series kickstarts Friday

Acoustic duo Drinkin’ and Dreamin’ set to perform

MONROE — The Des Moines-based band Drinkin’ and Dreamin’ has played bars, clubs, weddings, barns and living rooms — taking folks in the crowd to what the group’s inspiration Waylon Jennings calls “the promised land.”

The rock/acoustic guitar duo of Robby M and Johnny K will cruise Friday night into the kick-off of Monroe’s third annual summer bike night series. C.J.’s Bar and Grill owner and Monroe Bike Night committee member Carolyn Daniels booked the music for this summer’s monthly events and she’s looking for a good turnout Friday despite the Memorial Day weekend holiday.

“We’re hopeful the bikes and people will come out,” she said. “We usually have a couple hundred bikes. Because of the holiday we’ll have fewer vendors this Friday, but we’ll have more the next three months.”

The bike night and band are set to play from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Monroe’s Public Square. To welcome the hogs, Gold Wings, Knights and Indians to downtown, businesses on the square and community organizations are all getting involved. The Monroe American Legion is grilling and selling ribeye steak sandwiches, and the legion auxiliary is selling poppy lapels as a fundraiser.

Daniels said the Mustang Dinner, Stacey’s Sweetstuff and the vendor Flags and Poles will all be out selling food and merchandise. C.J.’s Bar and Grill, Mike’s Lounge and Southside Bar will also be serving drinks and food for the bike night.

Deb Dennison of Dennison Racing will be manning the Monroe Bike Night booth with event-sanctioned T-shirts, sweatshirts and other apparel, ranging from $12 to $25. T-shirts can also be ordered online at monroebike.itemorder.com/sale.

Beyond Friday, Daniels said entertainment for the next three Monroe Bike Nights is also booked and ready for the stage. June 23 will see Dallas City Limits, July 28 The After Hours Band is set to play and the final bike night of the summer will close out with country/blues/funk group the Danny Grause Band.

To register as a vendor for the three remaining bike night events, contact Daniels at 641-259-2222.

Contact Mike Mendenhall at
mmendenhall@myprairiecitynews.com