Grandma’s Marathon 2021 Post-race Celebration

Four local groups will take the stage at Bayfront Festival Park as part of the 45th annual Grandma’s Marathon weekend. The all-day celebration, which is free and open to all ages, was moved to Bayfront this year from its traditional place near the finish line in Canal Park.

Rock-a-Billy-Revue will kick the off the live show at 9 a.m., followed throughout the day by Boxcar, Whiskey Trail and Big Wave Dave & the Ripples.

Participants in both Grandma’s Marathon and the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon will receive a free drink ticket after completing their race, and those tickets can be redeemed all day Saturday at Bayfront Festival Park. Beverages will be provided by Superior Beverages & Coca-Cola, and food will be provided by Famous Dave’s.

Bayfront Festival Park will be open from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. Sounds Unlimited will play music between sets, and a full lineup of the day’s live music is below:

9 a.m. to noon – Rock-a-Billy Revue
12:30 to 2:30 p.m. – Boxcar
3 to 5 p.m. – Big Wave Dave & the Ripples
5:30 to 7 p.m. – Whiskey Trail
7:30 to 9:30 p.m. – Big Wave Dave & the Ripples

Boxcar will also play a live set on Friday, June 18 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. following the 27th annual William A. Irvin 5K, which will start and finish for the first time this year in Bayfront Festival Park. Admission for that show is also free and open to all ages.

The musical lineup is one of several pieces Grandma’s Marathon has added back into its 2021 weekend plan following the recent loosening of the state’s COVID-19 restrictions. Another significant change will be that masks or face coverings will no longer be required, though still strongly encouraged, through most parts of the weekend’s events.

The only area where masks or face coverings will still be required is on the shuttle bus before and after the race, in keeping with current public transportation guidelines.

A full, up-to-date copy of the 2021 Grandma’s Marathon race plan can be viewed at grandmasmarathon.com.