Rhythm and Reels is gearing up for another fun summer festival.

The free event begins at 5 p.m. Friday in Preisker Park, with water features and bounce houses, all leading up to the 9:30 p.m. showing of the movie “Moana 2.”

“This year we changed the name of the event to Rhythm and Reels to better describe the event,” event coordinator Jeannie Kline said. “We find great joy watching attendees enjoy the event, either sitting on blankets watching the movie or dancing one of the three bands.

“Last year, the most rewarding was Friday night, looking out across the crowd, seeing people sitting on their blanket, watching a movie. It left me in tears. They came. They were enjoying it.”

Friday’s festivities will include hot dogs and hamburgers provided by the fire department, as well as popcorn, snow cones and concessions, all available for purchase or donation.

While last year included sprinkles of previous Cowtown Days festivals, this year’s Saturday lineup is entirely musical.

Food trucks will be ready at 5 p.m., and the first of three concerts begins at 6 p.m.

Audience members will enjoy several changes this year. There will be no reserved seating — the entire park is available for patrons to enjoy musical acts Jared “Pete” Gile, the Lazy Wayne Band and Bailey Rae.

Kline said the committee made some other adjustments for patron comfort.

“We’ve brought in a circus tent to help alleviate from the heat,” she said. “(Last year we had) the heat blaring down on us. (The tent) will help prevent the heat.”

The area in front of the stage will remain open for dancing, frivolity and fun. The tent will be west of the creek bed that runs through the park, allowing for a full view of the stage.

“Last year, watching people in front of the band shell dancing, they were enjoying the band — it was so rewarding,” Kline said.

his is the first year the event is fullyoperating

Tunder the Rhythm and Reels name with no hint of Cowtown Days.

“We still had some components (of Cowtown Days) last year,” Kline said.

She said the committee of eight learned from planning the 2024 event.

“We needed something that we could do that was sustainable with less volunteers,” she said. “(This year) we knew what we were doing. We were able to have educated conversations with our vendors, electricians, performers, movie people, booking agents,” she said. “We knew what we were asking for. It was easier to communicate.”

Kline said the committee wanted to build on the success of the 2024 event.

“The community is learning more about us,” she said.

listening to classic country music and started singing at a young age.

She released her first single, “Never Been This Lonely,” in January 2020, and gained more exposure after competing on “The Voice,” season 19. She was on Team Legend and made it to the Top 9. She is influenced by artists such as Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire and Loretta Lynn.

Jared “Pete” Gile

Jared “Pete” Gile has become a powerhouse in the midwest music scene, captivating audiences with his unique performances, blending heartfelt songwriting with dynamic foot-drumming. Gile has four albums to his name, and has shared the stage with country legends like Luke Bryan, Phil Vassar and Robert Earl Keen, as well as songwriting legends including Darrell Scott and Billy Joe Shaver.

In addition to his vibrant performances, Gile dedicates a significant portion of his time to producing and hosting “The Troubadour Podcast” with seasoned radio personality Carly Evans.

The Lazy Wayne Band The Lazy Wayne Band is currently touring nonstop, playing hundreds of shows around and beyond the region, whether on the farm south of Abilene, on the outskirts of Topeka or on the road somewhere in between.

As a child, Dallas Pryor could be caught singing away to whatever country music that came through the speakers. He enlisted in the Marine Corps months after high school, where he was given his first guitar at 20 years old.

Fresh out of the USMC, Dallas met Keegan Knox at a bar outside of their hometown of Abilene. Just weeks after meeting, the duo set out to play their music together as what would become The Lazy Wayne Band. Completely independent, through the years The Lazy Wayne Band has released the complete “About Damn Time” collection.