Shenandoah annually observes Everly Brothers Family Heritage Day commemorating Everly Brothers Family History in Shenandoah. This year on Thursday June 19^th the celebration features Everly Brothers music and other hits from the 1950’s and 60’s by Richie Lee & the Fabulous 50’s Band. Also unveiled will be newly acquired displays of family artifacts from their youthful years in Shenandoah.

     Those attending the Everly Brothers Heritage Day events and those visiting the Everly Brothers Childhood Home will be guided by new Iowa Department of Transportation directional signs on Highway 59 going up this spring.

     Several of the Everly historical items will be displayed at the Depot Restaurant, Everly Brothers Childhood Home, and Greater Shenandoah Historical Museum at 800 W Sheridan Avenue. Items offered by the acquired by the Shenandoah Everly Brothers Foundation include childhood toys, scrapbooks, paintings, a 1940’s childhood scrapbook, their Mother Margaret’s cowboy costume from their time on Shenandoah radio stations, song writing notes, song copywrite certificates, Shenandoah school items, and more.

      Enjoy the free outdoor concert at 6pm at Depot Restaurant 101 Railroad St. under the big yellow striped tent. Since the age of 7 Richie Lee, a Des Moines native, has been winning awards for his nostalgic 50’s and 60’s style of rock music. He learned to play the drums at age 11 and the guitar at age 12. He has performed at every major rock n roll venue in Iowa and traveled the U.S. to play with the Drifters and perform in Elvis tributes. In 2007 he was inducted into the Iowa Rock n Roll Music Association and in 2010 received the IRRMA Spirit Award. has played at the Winter Dance Party at the Surf Ballroom. His music features many from the early rock era including the Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly. He has been on a mission since his youth to bring back the 50’s, 60’s sound for kids to hear and keep rock ‘n roll alive. Learn more at www.richieleeproductions.com.

     Everly Brothers Family t-shirts will be available for $20 at the concert or at Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association anytime, 619 W Sheridan Avenue. The shirt is a tribute to these rock n’ roll pioneers that got their start in Shenandoah. It features a family publicity photo from their radio days at KMA and KFNF. They are dressed in their cowboy attire, the uniform of that time for performances and the live radio stage.

     Don and Phil spent their formative years in Shenandoah and learned the value of hard work, performing, and musicianship that was an integral part of their success. Shenandoah was home to Ike and Margret Everly and their boys Don and Phil from 1945 to 1953. They sang and played guitar on live radio for Earl May on KMA and Henry Field on KFNF.

     In 1945 the Everly family moved to Shenandoah to accept a job at KMA radio station to perform live. From these humble beginnings in Shenandoah the Everly Brothers rose to world fame. Their father Ike instilled in his sons his love for music.  At the ages of 8 and 6, sons Don and Phil began to perform on their parents live on the Shenandoah radio shows. On weekends the family sang together traveling the area as the Everly Family.

     They stayed in Shenandoah until early high school. The family moved to Tennessee in 1953 and transitioned into a duo act. After decades of success in 1986 The Everly Brothers were among the first ten artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. That same year they returned to their boyhood home Shenandoah and played to a crowd of 8,500 in a homecoming concert with parade, street dedication, and class reunion.

     You can learn more about the Everly’s history by visiting the preserved childhood home to view the documentary movie shown there and at Greater Shenandoah Historical Museum at 800 W. Sheridan Avenue.

      The Mission of Shenandoah Everly Brothers Foundation is to honor and remember the Everly Brothers, preserving their Shenandoah history and keeping their music alive with events and concerts held annually.

     Don and Phil also established an Everly Family Scholarship in Shenandoah in 1986 with the proceeds from their Shenandoah Homecoming concert. Beginning with $25,000 from the Shenandoah concert and several other Iowa performances, it has been helping students in Shenandoah ever since.  They wanted to help Shenandoah kids with interest and dreams but need a little financial help to get there. Tens of thousands have been gifted to 6^th, 7^th, & 8th graders to help with music instrument rental and other music equipment, athletic equipment or fees, vocal and band fees, art or drama camps, private music or vocal lessons, academic tutoring, and more. Parents can learn more by contacting Bill Hillman, President of the Shenandoah Everly Brothers Foundation.

     For more information about Everly Brothers Family Heritage Day activities contact Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association at 712-246-3455, chamber@sciaiowa.com, www.sciaiowa.com.

     The 2025 Shenandoah Garden City Farmers Market opens the season in Priest Park, 707 7^th Avenue. The market starts June 4^th and continues through October 15^th.

     The Market is open each Wednesday afternoon 2-5 p.m. and Saturday morning 9 a.m. to noon with parking available. Shenandoah Farmers Market is a state certified market which allows vendors to accept WIC coupons. Shenandoah Farmers Market offers locally grown fresh produce and plants plus homemade baked goods, and crafts.

     It is free for vendors to sell at the market in Priest Park, but vendors must register and sign the pesticide affidavit and waiver of responsibility ensuring they don’t use pesticides before setting up and selling. A copy of the rules for the market and registration forms are available through market manager Mary Lou Woolhoy at the market, or at Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association at 619 W Sheridan Avenue.

     Early in the season customers can expect produce like radishes and lettuce, baked goods, Rhubarb, and plant starts. Crafts, baked goods, herbs, honey, Jams and Jellies are always available. In June strawberries, cherries, onions, carrots, and green beans are offered as well as flower bouquets. In July and August tomatoes, sweet corn, cucumbers, and many other vegetables are available. September and October are months for pears, apples, gourds, popcorn, Indian corn, and pumpkins.

     For more information about the Shenandoah Garden City Farmers Market contact market manager Mary Lou Wolhoy at 712-303-0100 and follow the posts on the Facebook page at Shenandoah Farmers Market.

     Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association (SCIA) along with Nishna Productions, Inc. and the Depot Restaurant are organizing the 10^th annual Disability Awareness Walk in Shenandoah May 3. This year the 1-mile route is through Shenandoah’s downtown street scape and around Priest Park.

     Participants are encouraged to register by filling out an entry form with a signed waiver. Forms are available at SCIA, NPI, and the Depot Restaurant as well as at www.sciaiowa.com.  Other sponsors for the event are El Porton Mexican Grill, Fareway, First Heritage Bank, National Alliance on Mental Illness, HyVee and St. Mary’s Shenandoah. More sponsors are welcome to contribute. Contact SCIA to contribute monetary donations or in-kind contributions. The items needed are bottled water and inexpensive items or gift cards for the door prize drawings.

      The free walk starting at 11 a.m. is for all ages and all abilities and is open to the public. This regional event begins at the Depot Deli 101 Railroad St. Walkers will travel east on Sheridan Avenue downtown street scape to Sycamore St. and head back west on the southside of Sheridan Avenue to Blossom St. heading south behind the Public Library to 5^th Avenue and south again on Elm St. to Priest Park. Water will be available at the park. The walkers will travel around the park and head back north on Maple St. to complete the one-mile course back on Sheridan Avenue to the Depot Deli finish. The route can accommodate wheelchairs.

     Volunteers will be needed for walker assistance and to act as crossing guards. Reflective vests will be provided for street crossing guards. Volunteers are also needed to help with set-up, to pass out water at the half-way point and food service & prizes at the after party.

     “This year is the 10th anniversary of the Disability Awareness Walk, and each year it has grown. It has been such a blessing to see our residents connect with walking buddies and start forming friendships. This year, we hope to see even more community members join us in the walk and in the celebration of all the individuals who will be walking with us,” said NPI Development Specialist Emily Martin.

     This year participants walking or riding will receive colorful logo sunglasses at the start. The after party under the big yellow tent at the Depot will feature a free hot dog lunch, root beer floats and music by Jeff Slater. There will also be drawings for door prizes from area businesses.

     Jeff Slater has been entertaining area music lovers in the vicinity for over 15 years with his wit, storytelling and musical talents.  Jeff has been an active community volunteer and supporter of Southwest Iowa projects including the Wabash Trace, the music scene and whenever needed to help-out.  Jeff lives south of Shenandoah with his wife Ann, daughter Sofia and Lucy the wonder dog.

     “Everyone from the surrounding area is welcome to participate in this special event,” said SCIA Marketing Director Shelly Warner. “It’s a fun, rewarding event with old and new friends, music, and exercise.”

     All volunteers and sponsors should contact SCIA to sign-up volunteer 712-246-3455, chamber@sciaiowa.com. The registration form can also be viewed at the website www.sciaiowa.com or Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association Facebook page.

April 9^th 10 am SCIA Ribbon Cutting for Grand Opening of the Donut Stop 606 W Sheridan Ave. Welcome new owners Todd & Stacy Kirk of Shenandoah and enjoy some coffee & donuts. www.donutstopshen.com

Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association hosts the Saturday March 15th, 8 a.m. Legislative Coffee with State legislators at the Bricker Room in the Safety Center, 400 W Sheridan Avenue. Coffee and Donut Stop donuts will be served.