A huge THANK YOU to our incredible sponsors, patrons, and volunteers who made the 31st season of the Horicon Bank Ripon Summer Concert Series Horicon Bank Ripon Summer Concert Series a spectacular success! Week after week, your participation and energy created an unforgettable atmosphere downtown, highlighted by an amazing free concert featuring national recording artist Saliva. We truly couldn’t this success without our loyal concertgoers and dedicated community partners.

While winter still has a few chilly months ahead, planning is well underway for another fantastic season. We are excited to share that the following bands are already booked: Rising Phoenix (6/5), Smart Mouth (6/12), Cherry Pie (6/19), Bad Habitz (6/26), Flannel Revival (7/3), Star Six Nine (7/10), TBA (7/17), Road Trip (7/24), Rebel Grace (7/31), TBA (8/1), Madison County (8/7), Doozey (8/14), The Glam Band (8/21), The 308s (8/28), and Ask Your Mother (9/4).

We anticipate finalizing the remaining dates within the next few weeks — so stay tuned!

Finally, another heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsors for making the 2025 season such a success. Your support plays a vital role in strengthening our community and keeping historic downtown Ripon vibrant and thriving.

2025 Summer Concert Sponsors

Title Sponsor: Horicon Bank

Band Sponsors: AFK Foundry, Alliance Laundry Systems, American Family Insurance - Brad Tagliapietra, Atomic Plumbing, Condon Companies, Fortifi Bank, Hy-Vee, Knuth Brewing Company, Pericles Financial Services, Ray's Sanitation, Ripon College, Peter & Emily Sensenbrenner, Silver Creek Dentistry, Walsworth

Friends of the Village Green: Anonymous Donations, Heatley Electric, Henry & Debbie Hilscher, Andy & Jeanne Lyke, Jason Mansmith, Bill & Judy Neill, Thin Ice Productions, Traveling Taps (WI)

Beverage Sponsors: Miller Lite/General Beer-NE, Knuth Brewing Company

News Release

June 1, 2025

Ripon's Summer Concert Series set to kick off 31st Season!

The Horicon Bank Ripon Summer Concert Series is thrilled to present a special bonus concert featuring national recording artist Saliva on Saturday, August 9. This free event will take place at the Village Green in downtown Ripon, running from 7:00 to 10:30 pm. The opening performer is Embers Rise, followed by Nothing Forgotten, with Saliva taking the stage at 9:00 pm.

Hailing from Memphis, Tennessee, Saliva broke onto the hard-rock scene with their 2001 double platinum album Every Six Seconds, featuring hits like “Click Click Boom” and the Grammy-nominated “Your Disease.” Their momentum continued with the release of Back Into Your System, boasting tracks like “Always” and “Rest In Pieces” which was co-written by Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue.

With over 3 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and 1 billion U.S. streams, Saliva’s popularity continues. The band is currently touring throughout the United States to promote the rerelease of “Revelation : Retold.” Their new singles "High on Me" and “Devil’s World” have climbed into the Top 20 on Billboard charts. Expect 2025 to be all about bringing new music to the fans, with a new album in the works.

The outdoor concert series is held at the Village Green, located at the corner of Watson and Seward Streets in historic downtown Ripon. A variety of beverages are available for purchase, and participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on. Please note that no carry-ins are allowed, as beverage sales help cover the cost of entertainment. All performances in the series are free and open to the public.

Join us for an unforgettable evening of live music in the district and experience the charm of small-town hospitality. For more information, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RiponWisconsin for additional details, including weather updates.

Check out theses details and tips before heading to a show:

The Village Green is privately owned and operated by Ripon Main Street, Inc., a non-profit organization committed to enhancing the economic vitality of downtown Ripon. This charming green space provides a serene spot for residents and visitors to relax and enjoy the heart of Ripon. Usage of the Village Green is considered on a case-by-case basis, with priority given to non-profit organizations.

• Bring Your ID: If you plan to purchase adult beverages, make sure to bring your ID. Everyone will be carded regardless of age.

• No Alcohol Carry-Ins: Bringing your own alcohol is not allowed. The "carry in" or "carry out" of any type of alcoholic beverage to or from this area is prohibited.

• Food: You are welcome to bring food into the event, but we encourage you to visit and support our fantastic dining establishments located throughout the downtown district!

• Parking Recommendations: The Village Green is located on the south end of the downtown historic district. Free on-street parking is available within a short walk of the park. Please plan accordingly.

• Weather Cancellations: In case of inclement weather, cancellations will be announced on our Facebook page.

• Animals: Pets are permitted in the park if the animal is kept on a leash no longer than five (5) feet. Pets must be confined and under control at all times. Any person with an animal in his or her possession or control shall be responsible for the conduct of the animal and for removing feces deposited by the animal. REMEMBER...We are attending the concert to watch and listen to the bands, NOT YOUR PET!

• Notice of Filming and Photography: By attending an event or program at The Village Green, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may take place. By entering the event premises, you consent to being interviewed, photographed, audio recorded, and video recorded. You agree that these materials may be released, published, exhibited, or reproduced for promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on websites, social media, or any other purpose by Ripon Main Street, Inc. and its affiliates and representatives.

Images, photos, and/or videos may be used to promote similar future events by Ripon Main Street, Inc., highlight the current event, and showcase the capabilities of Ripon Main Street. By attending, you release Ripon Main Street, its officers, employees, and all persons involved from any liability related to the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication and use of interviews, photographs, computer images, videos, and/or sound recordings.

Additionally, you waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by Ripon Main Street, Inc., or any person or entity designated by Ripon Main Street, Inc. You acknowledge that you have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the event.

March 6, 2024

Fundraising for Ripon Summer Concert Series continues

The events and activities organized by Main Street enhance the image of our community, making Ripon a desirable place to live, work and play. We encourage you to join us in 2024 as an Entertainer Sponsor or as a Friend of the Green. We are currently at 59% of our fund raising entertainment goal, and donations of any amount will help ensure a successful season. Ripon Main Street is a 501c3 not-for-profit tax-exempt organization. All proceeds go to support the ongoing revitalization efforts of Ripon’s historic central business district.

Ripon Main Street, Inc. invites you to enjoy an evening of entertainment in historic downtown Ripon and discover what makes our community so special. Follow us @downtownripon on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.

A special Thank You goes out to following businesses and individuals for sponsoring the summer concert series. Let them know you appreciate the financial commitment they have made to our community.

Ripon Summer Concert Series: A Look Back at National Acts That Rocked the Village Green

Each summer, the Horicon Bank Ripon Summer Concert Series transforms downtown Ripon’s charming Village Green into a vibrant outdoor music venue. While local and regional favorites fill most of the lineup, over the years the series has also attracted several nationally touring artists — drawing larger crowds and adding star power to this free, Friday-night tradition.

Saliva — Keeping the tradition alive, the 2025 season included a special concert by Saliva, the Memphis hard-rock powerhouse famed for hits like “Click Click Boom” and “Your Disease.” The band arrived in Ripon while touring in support of their re-release, Revelation: Retold, introducing fans to a fresh chapter of Saliva’s evolving sound. Their new singles, “High on Me” and “Devil’s World,” have both climbed into the Top 20 on the Billboard charts, adding even more excitement to an already high-energy evening. With 2025 shaping up to be all about delivering new music to fans — and a brand-new album in the works — Saliva’s Ripon performance felt like a front-row seat to the band’s next era.

10 Years — One of the most memorable national acts to hit the Ripon stage was 10 Years, the Knoxville, Tennessee–based rock band featured during the series’ 30th season. Best known for their breakthrough album The Autumn Effect and the hit single “Wasteland,” the band arrived in Ripon while touring across the United States in support of their most recent single, “The Optimist.” At the time, the song, which featured a collaboration with Conquer Divide vocalist Kiarely “Kia’ Castillo, was receiving significant airplay on rock radio stations nationwide. Their performance brought a powerful, modern rock edge to the Village Green and gave local fans the chance to experience a nationally touring act at the height of its momentum.

Hinder — The Ripon Summer Concert Series made waves in 2023 with a long-awaited performance by Hinder, the platinum-selling post-grunge rock band known for chart-topping hits like “Lips of an Angel.” Originally scheduled to appear the previous season, the band was forced to cancel at the last minute when their tour bus broke down on a Kansas highway while enroute to Ripon. Their eventual return was well worth the wait, drawing one of the largest crowds in the series’ history and delivering an electrifying night of sing-along anthems and high-energy rock that fans won’t soon forget.

Love and Theft — Love and Theft concluded the 2023 Ripon Summer Concert Series with a feel-good, harmony-rich country performance that perfectly capped off the season. Known for hits like “Angel Eyes” and “Runaway,” the duo brought polished musicianship, heartfelt storytelling, and upbeat melodies to the Village Green. Their engaging stage presence and crowd-pleasing set created a warm, celebratory atmosphere, leaving concertgoers with a memorable finale to a season that blended both rock grit and country soul.

Tantric — In 2021, Tantric closed the summer concert series with their grunge-infused rock sound. Known for 2000s hits like “Breakdown” and “Mourning,” Tantric’s performance highlighted the series’ commitment to booking notable national rock acts even amid the challenges of pandemic recovery.

TRAPT — Another standout national act was TRAPT, known for early-2000s rock staples like “Headstrong.” TRAPT closed out the 2019 season with a memorable bonus concert, delivering high-octane guitar riffs and crowd-pleasing hits that stirred up nostalgia for fans of that era.

Keith Anderson — Adding genre diversity to the series, Keith Anderson brought his country music roots to Ripon in back-to-back seasons in 2019 and 2018. The singer and songwriter, whose hits include “Pickin’ Wildflowers,” offered concertgoers a night filled with upbeat country tunes and genuine stage presence.

Why These Performances Matter

While the Ripon Summer Concert Series thrives on showcasing high-quality local and regional bands, the addition of nationally recognized artists has elevated the event’s profile, drawing diverse audiences to Ripon from around the state. These national acts — spanning rock, country, and alternative genres — have brought fans together under the summer sky, creating unforgettable evenings that blend big-town entertainment with small-town hospitality.

Whether you’re reliving past shows or looking forward to future lineups, Ripon’s music series continues to strike a perfect chord between community spirit and national musical appeal.