Ever wonder how Rockin’ Robbins got started? Read the article published today in the July newsletter of the Explore Willmar Lakes Area blog. So many great photos, too!!
www.willmarlakesarea.com
By Joy Baker Every summer, thousands of people gather on the shores of Robbins Island Regional Park with lawn chairs, picnic blankets, family, and friends to enjoy an evening of free music from some o...1 CommentsComment on Facebook
Get ready for Rockin' Robbins 2026! Get these dates on your calendar right now because you won't want to miss a single second of our 10th Anniversary Season. We've got a great band lineup and lots of fun surprises in the works, so get ready to ROCK THE ISLAND starting Tuesday, July 14th! Get all the details on our website at RockinRobbins.com.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Rockin’ Robbins announces lineup for its milestone 10th season!
WILLMAR, MN (April 22, 2026) – The Willmar Rotary Club has announced its band lineup for Rockin’ Robbins 2026—the 10th season of their free summer concert series.
Nearly all are of this year's band picks are fan favorites from previous years, including a duplicate lineup of the first-ever Rockin’ Robbins concert in 2016.
The milestone season kicks off on Tuesday, July 14th and continues each Tuesday for a four-week run through August 4th. Opening acts play between 4:30 PM and 6 PM, followed by the headliner bands from 6:30 PM to 9 PM.
Started by the Willmar Rotary Club and sponsored by several local businesses, the popular summer event also includes four free Park and Ride locations, free bike corral, free Kid Zone with climbing wall and inflatables; food trucks, vendor tents, and the Bernick’s Island Tavern. More details are available online at www.RockinRobbins.com
TUESDAY JULY 14, 2026 - 70s NIGHT!
** Dress up iSawyer's Dreame 70s threads! **
Opening Act: Sawyer's Dream
Sawyer's Dream is inspired by the writings of Mark Twain and the vocal harmonies of bands such as the Mamas & the Papas, ABBA, and Fleetwood Mac. Minneapolis-based is an established original 70s vibe band, uniquely cross-blending Americana, Pop, Rock, and Soul. Featuring powerhouse lead vocals and intricate four-part harmonies, their musiThe 70's Magic Sunshine Bandrthy.
Headliner: The 70's Magic Sunshine Band
The 70’s Magic Sunshine Band is a high-energy live concert experience that plays the biggest top 40 AM radio hits from the 1970’s, tailor-made to fill the dance floor! The 70’s Magic Sunshine Band brings you back to the era of 8-track stereos, roller skating, polyester and bell bottoms. Hit making artists from the 1970's include, Three Dog Night, The O'Jays, Little River Band, Jim Croce, Elton John, KC and the Sunshine Band, Rod Stewart, ABBA, The Doobie Brothers, The Four Seasons, Queen, The Eagles, Bee Gees, Pablo Cruise, and Don Spooncat!
TUESDAY JULY 21, 2026
Opening Act: Spooncat!
Spooncat! is widely acclaimed for their original, horn-driven songs and ultra cool vibe. Founded in 1996 in Sioux Falls, SD, Spooncat! set out to create original, danceable music blending pop rock, funk and R&B elements. The group played hundreds of shows over the next ten years, releasing four Johnny Holm Bandd one live album.
Headliner: Johnny Holm Band
The Johnny Holm Band is led by the frontman of the most widely known and traveled band in America. Johnny Holm is the most entertaining performer today. The show is dedicated to the fans, and they do most of the entertaining. Surrounding himself with the finest musicians in the Midwest, the band rocks, picks, and thunders along, almost non-stop from the first song to the last laugh.
TUESDAY JULY 28, 2026
** This lineup is a repeat of the first-ever Rockin’ RobbinsDam Jammersld July 19, 2016! **
Opening Act: Dam Jammers
The Dam Jammers are a high-energy five-piece rock band that provides a special blend of country, rock, and pop hits. The central Minnesota band covers many genres with three-part vocal harmonies that provide a fun and unique listening experience for their audiences.
Headliner: Fabulous Armadillos
A fan favorite and headliner since Rockin’ Robbins' inaugural season in 2016, the Fabulous Armadillos have established a large and loyal following of “Dilloheads” throughout Minnesota and beyond. Featuring Paul “Stretch” Diethelm on lead guitar, this talented group of musicians plays a variety of classic rock hits, and easily crosses genres into Country, Motown, Heavy Metal and 70's Soft Rock.
TUESDAY AUGUST 4, 2026 —MIHighway 23 - Acoustic Jam!
** Free T-shirts for the first 100 veterans and active duty military members **
Opening Act: Highway 23 - Acoustic Jam
Highway 23 - Acoustic Jam is a high-energy, four-piece acoustic band, plugged in and playing classic 70's, '80s, and '90s rock. This St. Cloud arCollective Unconsciousof the blues and a splash of country, combined with amazing guitar riffs and some sweet harmonies.
Headliner: Collective Unconscious
Collective Unconscious is a St. Cloud band that's well known for its tribute shows of classic albums such as Abbey Road and Pet Sounds. Formed in the spring of 2000 to support lead singer/bass player Jeff Engholm’s first solo CD (Summit Climb), Collective Unconscious has continued to perform around central Minnesota as an 8-piece jam band with a dedicated horn section.
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It's really happening! Construction on the new amphitheater won't begin until after this years' concerts, so no worries about any complications on Robbins Island this summer. We'll reveal the 2026 Band Lineup on April 22nd, so check back for the big scoop. We can't wait to share all the news about our 10th anniversary season!
Amphitheater at Robbins Island Regional Park ready for construction
www.wctrib.com
The Willmar City Council on Monday approved the plans and specifications for the amphitheater at Robbins Island Regional Park, as well as authorizing that the project go out for bids.1 CommentsComment on Facebook
Rockin' Robbins seeks sponsors for 10th season!
Our logo has a whole new look and we're excited to celebrate our 10TH SEASON with the Willmar community!
Way back in 2014, our Willmar Rotary members began having conversations about putting on a free summer concert series at Robbins Island. The St. Cloud Rotary Club was already doing something similar, and we thought to ourselves, why not Willmar?
In 2015, we reached out to the Willmar business community to ask if they might be willing to sponsor our efforts so that we could at least afford to pay for the headliner bands. The answers were firm and immediate—YES! And that is how Rockin’ Robbins was born—on faith, handshakes, and vision.
In 2016, we kicked off our inaugural season over a two week span, but it was so incredibly successful that we came back the following year with a four-week event—double the bands and double the fun! We found our sweet spot in-between the Fourth of July and the County Fair and just kept growing the concert series into what it is today.
Be a Part of Our 10 Year Celebration!
Today, Rockin’ Robbins is celebrating its 10th season* with a new logo—and next year—a new concert stage! Please help us continue the magic by confirming your 2026 sponsorship.
Currently, we have some rare openings for Presenting Sponsors, so if you’ve been a Major Sponsor or Significant Partner in the past, or if you’re interested in becoming a first-time sponsor, this is a great opportunity to jump into a Presenting spot and get some extra recognition for your business.
Presenting Sponsors receive recognition in all our marketing materials—print and radio ads, website, social media, flyers, T-shirts, stage banners, and the ever-popular Jumbotron! You and your team are also invited to have a booth at the event and give a brief introduction of your business onstage before announcing the headliner band for the evening.
Sponsorships due March 31, 2026
Please visit the Sponsors page of our website at RockinRobbins.com to download our 2026 Sponsorship Packet. It includes details and prices for all our sponsor packages, as well as a copy of the full page “Thank You” ad we run each year in the West Central Tribune.
Reveal Party April 22, 2026
On Wednesday, April 22, the Willmar Rotary Club will be hosting our annual Band Lineup Reveal Party for all of our of Presenting, Major, Opening Act and Jumbotron-level sponsors. You and your guests will enjoy a free lunch at the Willmar Conference Center, and a first glimpse of all the bands we've hand-picked for 2026! It's always a good time and a great opportunity to mingle and get to know each other a bit better. We can't wait!
For questions, please contact Michelle Goltz at sponsors@rockinrobbins.com, or visit our website a www.rockinrobbins.com/.
Thank you for your support!
The Rockin’ Robbins Sponsor Committee
* For those counting, it’s actually been 11 years since our first concert series in 2016, but because 2020 was a no-go due to COVID, we’re celebrating our 10th season
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Rock on, Willmar! Let’s get this party started!! Read the full news release from the City of Willmar. 👇
www.facebook.com/share/p/1Qq3W878Yh/
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