Nick Nolde

ESCANABA — A local concert is back after missing last year.

Lake Shore Live returns to the Karas Bandshell in Ludington Park in Escanaba Saturday.

Established in 2021 by Nick Nolde, Lake Shore Live is an opportunity for the public to enjoy live music after Labor Day.

Lake Shore Live is being sponsored this year by the Escanaba Downtown Development Authority and is free to the public.

According to a press release, Nolde was a drummer in various bands, including Speedy Beef and Jam Band. Unfortunately, Nolde lost his life after a battle with a cancerous brain tumor.

Nolde’s wife, Jessica Nolde, said her late husband’s passion was music.

“Once everyone was back in school, Nick still wanted something for people to do. The concert was his way of giving to the community,” said Jessica in a press release.

Nolde graduated from Escanaba High School in 1998. He began a journey to become a Major League Baseball (MLB) umpire before returning to the area where he taught in the area schools and served as the athletic director for Escanaba schools.

“He was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor that took his life after a courageous battle at the age of 41,” according to the press release.

In honor of Nolde’s memory, the logo for the event has been modified, now featuring a pair of drumsticks surrounded by wings and capped off with stars.

The Jam Band is returning to the event — the band featured Nolde on the drums along with two of his uncles.

Unfortunately, Jam Band announced they are breaking up after this year.

George Sailor said that makes restarting the festival this year that more special.

“It means the world to us to have this revived and to be able to play in it our last year. There was no way we were going to miss this,” Sailor said.

The music schedule for the event on Saturday is:

12 to 1:30 p.m. – ToHuBoHu

2 to 3:30 p.m. – Jam Band

4 to 5:30 p.m. – Cosmic Exposure

6 to 7:30 p.m. – Stonewall

8 to 9:30 p.m. – Doozy

The group wants to expand the type of bands performing at the event in the future.

“To help with that, the group set up to run the event, Lake Shore Live LLC, is accepting donations and sponsors for future events. Jessica said the best way to support the event is by messaging through their Lake Shore Live LLC Facebook page,” according to the press release.

Should it rain, the event will be moved to the Escanaba Marketplace at 15th and Ludington Street.

“We want Lake Shore Live to continue because it was something that Nick wanted to do for the community. Even though he is no longer with us, we want to keep the event going in honor of his memory,” Jessica said.