A gentleman, holding his barbecue nachos in one hand and a tortilla chip in the other, takes a swipe through his mountain of food, lifts the chip up to his mouth - a drip of melted cheese falls onto his beard - and finishes the bite with a smile. Napkin quickly to the scene. A child at the front of the stage reaches her right hand up to Savanna Chestnut for a high-five. A smile when the two connect. A family in the camping-style chairs they brought from home sitting in the middle of a downtown Sidney street, locked in conversations, pictures and enjoyment that brings a smile. 

Smiling together. 

On three warm summer nights in our hometown, something happens that goes beyond music. Downtown Sounds turns Hickory Street Square into more than a stage. It became our town square, our community. Kids dance until their shoes are dusty, families laugh shoulder to shoulder and artists walk away saying Sidney was the highlight of their summer.

A estimated 6,000 people came to the three concerts in June, July and August. A number alone that's incredible, but the real story lies with you.

At one point during the last show in August, Jay Allen asked the crowd on stage: “Who came to one concert? Two? All three?” When he asked who came to all three, that's when we heard the loudest cheer of the night. A moment worth goosebumps. You choosing to come back time and time again. Choosing to be together. Choosing community. And what a community we get to call home. 

If you looked around, you saw what "community" is. Kids were running free in a safe space downtown, high-fiving artists like they were superstars. Musicians told us later that those high fives and smiling faces made them feel like rockstars. You could tell they meant it. You did that.

Parents were able to relax, knowing their kids could play, laugh and be part of a community. That’s the picture of Sidney at its best. That's the picture of our home. 

None of this happens without people stepping up. The City of Sidney let us close down an entire block and city crews made sure everything was ready. Todd, Tyler and Chris were right there with Mega Music to set up the stage. Dean, Echo and Sam at Dean Shaffer Productions delivered lights and sound that could rival any big-city show. Sponsors like AL Tree Services, Sutton Home Gallery and Maddox Motor Company put their support behind this idea and made it possible for you and I to walk through the fences absolutely free.

How do we thank the artists? Casey Muessigman, Dylan Bloom, Caleb Kenner, Jealan Johnston, Savanna Chestnut Tanner Sovereign, Hockett, Jaden Schumacher and Tim Zach - three powerhouse nights of music, free to the public, fueled by passion and energy. Incredible perfomances. 

Afterward, they told us what you made them feel:

“Sidney is always the highlight of the summer,” said Jaden Schumacher.

“You have a great event,” Tim Zach added.

Hockett called it simply “a great time.”

Caleb Kenner said the town welcomed his family with open arms and made him proud to play here. Jaelen Johnston described the event as amazing and thanked Sidney for the hospitality. Larry Olson with Casey Muesiggmann called it “fantastic.”

Their words matter, but what matters more is what they say about you, what they say about our home. They weren’t praising just a stage or sound system. They were praising you. The people who came downtown, danced, smiled, clapped and sang along. The people who made them want to come back.

This summer proved that when Sidney gathers, it creates something unforgettable. It wasn’t just a concert series. It was proof that music, food, family and friends can turn a block of downtown into the heart of a community.

We’re grateful for every person who came out, every person who took in the music in their own backyards, every vendor who fed us, every volunteer who pitched in, every sponsor who believed in it and every artist who shared their passion. 

Downtown Sounds isn’t just about the music. It’s about our home, our community, our Sidney. And look what happens when a community comes together. We'll see you again on the third Fridays in June, July and August in 2026.