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The community newspaper for Solon

Solon Economist

The community newspaper for Solon

Solon Economist

The community newspaper for Solon

Solon Economist

Dorothy (Madisen Kleppe), Tinman (Deacon Waddell), and Scarecrow (Parker Beck) come across something strange in the forest on their way to Emerald City to see The Wizard in the Solon HS production of The Wizard of Oz.

Click your heels and follow the Yellow Brick Road

Chris Umscheid, Editor November 5, 2025

This weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 8 and 9, a small farm in Kansas, Munchkin Land, Emerald City, and The Land of Oz come to life on the stage in the Performing Arts Center as Solon High School presents...

Dorothy Gale (Madisen Kleppe) and Tin Man (Deacon Waddell, also playing Hickory) dance with the Jitterbugs in Solon High School’s production of “The Wizard of Oz.” Showtimes are Saturday, Nov. 8 and Sunday, Nov. 9 in the Performing Arts Center.

Go see the Wizard!

Chris Umscheid, Editor October 29, 2025

In 1939 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) released a film adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The movie, starring Judy Garland as Dorothy, quickly became an American classic. Saturday...

Iowa Poetry Association announces release of its 80th annual anthology Lyrical Iowa 2025

October 8, 2025

The Iowa Poetry Association, Inc (IPA) announces the publication of its annual poetry anthology Lyrical Iowa 2025, Our 80th Year. The poems included within these pages are finely-crafted and engaging...

The Solon High School Marching Band exits the field after pregame ceremonies Friday, August 29. The 40-some-member band performed the National Anthem and school fight song to open the first varsity football game of the season and debuted their competition piece for the year during halftime.

Pumping up the crowd

Chris Umscheid, Editor September 3, 2025

It's a football Friday night tradition. Before the varsity Spartans take the field, the Solon Marching Band, in their orange and black uniforms with polished black hats and plumes, performs the National...

Kickin’ Country, an 80s-90s country and rock cover band out of Cedar Rapids, performed in the final Music on Main concert for the season Wednesday, August 6

Kickin’ Country boot scoots to bring down the curtain on the 2025 Music on Mainstreet concert series

Ella McEntaffer, Intern August 13, 2025

Despite a questionable weather forecast, Kickin’ Country took the Main Street Stage last Wednesday to perform classic country and rock hits and close out the 2025 Music on Main concert series. The...

Ken Fullard (bass and vocals) keeps the rhythm going while Dave Shawver wails on the saxophone as the Funk Daddies rock downtown Solon with their mix of R&B and soul music Wednesday, July 23 during the Music on Main Street concert series.

Hot funk on a summer night

Chris Umscheid, Editor July 30, 2025

It was hot in downtown Solon last Wednesday evening as the cool sounds of classic R&B from the Funk Daddies filled Mushroom Park for another installment in the Music on Main Street concert series....

Music of Beef Days

July 23, 2025

John and Teresa Condon of Buck Hollow Band performed familiar hits as part of Solon’s Music on Main series Wednesday, July 2.

Music in the park: Buck Hollow Band performs in Solon

Ella McEntaffer, Intern July 9, 2025

SOLON — John and Teresa Condon of Buck Hollow Band performed for the community at the Main Street bandstand Wednesday, July 2, as part of the weekly Music on Mainstreet concert series. The couple,...

The Mill Creek Band, from Solon, captivates the audience in Solon Wednesday, June 25, as part of the weekly Music on Mainstreet concert series.

Mill Creek Band hits the Mainstreet Stage

AJ Dolan, Intern July 1, 2025

SOLON — The Mill Creek Band rocked the Mainstreet Stage Wednesday, June 25, bringing a finely-tuned concert to downtown Solon. The six-member group played the Music on Main event for the ninth year...

Come to Iowa City for Ackerman’s July 4th Stars and Stripes Antique & Vintage Market

June 25, 2025

IOWA CITY — The 10th annual (actually 11 years but no show in 2020) Ackerman's July 4th Stars & Stripes Antique and Vintage Market will once again be held at the Johnson County Fairgrounds located...

Each December the Iowa Brass, a British-style brass band, puts on a free community Christmas Concert in addition to at least three other free performances throughout the year.

Iowa Brass – A musical treasure in Solon

Todd Bransky, Special to the Solon Economist June 25, 2025

SOLON — Iowa Brass is an all-volunteer, community-based British-style brass band that will be celebrating their 40th anniversary in 2026. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Iowa Brass is proud...

Martin Chapa sings a classical Spanish song with confidence and emotion as Solon HS students accompany him during the Solon Mariachi Band’s performance at the Music on Main Street concert Wednesday, June 4, in downtown Solon.

Solon’s Mariachi Band opens Music on Main concert series

Natalia Scales, Intern June 11, 2025

SOLON — The Solon High School Mariachi Band brought vibrant sound and energy back to downtown Solon during the Music on Main Street concert series on Wednesday, June 4. Led by band director Desmond...

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