Music on Grand, perhaps one of best things resulting in Brookfield from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, returns to the 3700 block of Grand Boulevard this weekend with expanded outdoor dining for three full days and a day’s worth of live entertainment on Saturday.
Originally conceived as a way to support restaurants and bars in the downtown area when indoor dining was banned, Music on Grand has quickly become a highly anticipated summer tradition. The event will be held monthly starting June 23-25 on the final weekend of each month through September.
“When we did this [in 2020] there was no idea it would be this big,” said Village Manager Timothy Wiberg. “We did it as a lifeline to these businesses, thinking we’d give it a shot and try it. We went out kind of sheepishly that first night, and we were pleasantly surprised with the number of people who came out.”
The 3700 block of Grand Boulevard will be closed to all vehicular traffic from Fairview Avenue north to the midblock bump-out during Music on Grand. Tables and chairs will be set up in designated areas for each restaurant and bar in that stretch of the block, with an open corridor for pedestrians down the center of Grand Boulevard.
The street will be closed from early on Friday until early Monday morning, and a north-facing stage will be located at the south end of the block between Sebastian’s Ale & Whiskey House and Brookfield Breakfast.
Those driving to attend Music on Grand can park in the spaces along the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad line along Brookfield Avenue east of west of Prairie Avenue. There is additional parking along the railroad right-of-way south of the tracks along Burlington Avenue.
Expanded outdoor dining/beverage service will be available all three days during Music on Grand.
Live entertainment will be scheduled from 2 to 10 p.m. on Saturdays only, with June 25 featuring the blues-tinged rock of the Alex Hofer Band at 2 p.m., hometown favorites The Dooley Brothers around 4:30 p.m. and indie rockers The Heligoats from around 6-6:30 p.m.
Headlining the night’s entertainment from about 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. will be alt-rockers Newski.
