Free Live Music Hits Every Note at Hoover’s Hometown Days

Get ready to tap your toes and sing along—Hoover’s Hometown Days, happening August 8–9, 2025, in West Branch, Iowa, is packed with free live music for all ages and musical tastes! Whether you’re into country, bluegrass, jazz, funk, or rock, this year’s lineup has something for everyone.

Friday night kicks off the fun on the Fire Station Stage from 8:00 p.m. to midnight with Fox Hill Troubadours. This energetic Iowa City band blends classic country grit with the soul of Americana storytelling—setting the tone for a lively weekend. Beer & Food service by the West Branch Fire Department Foundation will be available, with all proceeds supporting our local volunteer fire department. All ages are welcome!

Fox Hill Troubadours

Fire Station Stage

Saturday’s lineup begins at 11:00 a.m. with Smith Studio Jazz performing on the Hoover Stage at Downey Trace, offering smooth, classic sounds in a peaceful, historic setting. Also at 11:00 a.m., the Main Street Stage comes alive with Yesternite, a dynamic six-piece ensemble of jazz musicians from Iowa City. This fresh group brings new energy to 70s pop-funk favorites and original tunes, representing the next wave of Iowa music talent. At 1:00 p.m., the spotlight shifts to The Pickled Beats, a charming musical duo made up of Kenny Fox on guitar and vocals by Sue Friend. The two will provide authentic classic country tunes on the Main Street Stage. At 2:00 p.m. you can hear Banjoy, a bluegrass band with a unique and personal style, as they take the Hoover Stage on Downey Trace.  Relaxed and friendly on stage, Banjoy plays everything from classic bluegrass and gospel songs to originals and lively instrumentals. 

Home Brewed takes over the Main Street Stage from 3:00–4:00 p.m., delivering a fun-filled, mixed-generational set of bluesy rock and roll and rockabilly—a perfect bridge to the evening.

At 4:00 p.m. the downtown vendors will begin to pack up as we prepare for Hoover's Hootenanny in the evening but you can hop over to The Black Rose for a special performance by Júlio Ribeiro Alves. Alves is an accomplished classical guitarist and professor at Marshall University, where he directs the guitar program and teaches music theory. He performs regularly as a soloist and in various chamber ensembles, with a repertoire spanning diverse cultures and centuries. Júlio has toured throughout the U.S., Brazil, and Europe and appears on several acclaimed recordings. He proudly plays a hand-crafted guitar made just across the street from the venue by West Branch luthier John H. Dick.

Burlington Street Bluegrass Band

The festival finale, Hoover’s Hootenanny, takes place in Village Green starting at 6:00pm with the Hoover-Ball National Championship final games. Then from 7:00–9:00 p.m., the Burlington Street Bluegrass Band will take the stage for our family-friendly picnic in the park. This powerhouse group has been bringing high-energy bluegrass and Americana to Iowa audiences for 20 years. Expect exceptional musicianship, tight harmonies, and a family-friendly vibe to close out the weekend. The WBFD Beer Garden will be available during the Hootenanny, with proceeds once again supporting the West Branch Fire Department Foundation, and a food truck will be on site. Continue the party after the festival wraps up by heading into the heart of downtown West Branch to enjoy late-night live music and beverage specials at Herb N' Lou's and the Downunder or a craft cocktail at The Black Rose, a newly opened "boozy bookstore". The Downunder will feature live music by Full Moon Horizon from 8pm-Midnight and Herb N' Lou's will host Mike Johnston and Terry Koeppel starting at 9pm. A heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsors who help make the music—and the entire festival—possible. Platinum Sponsors: Heritage Hill (Rentals in West Branch) and the City of West Branch. Gold Sponsors: Martin Agency Insurance Services Inc. and Nordex. See the full list of supporters at hooverdays.org/support.

All performances are free, open to all ages, and part of Hoover’s Hometown Days. View the full schedule at hooverdays.org and follow us on social media for updates!