Tropical music and food. What you need to know about the Massillon Museum's Island Party
MASSILLON – Ya mon, it's a party! The Massillon Museum will host the 30th installment of its Island Party on Friday.
The family-friendly event is a thank you to the community for its continued support.
From island eats and drinks to island music, guests can expect a care-free island good time.
"We're mixing things up this year," museum Executive Director Alexander Nicholis Coon said.
Vendors will provide food for the event. In the past, volunteers and museum staff would spend hours preparing the party fare.
"We're taking it out of our hands," Nicholis Coon added, but "guests can expect the same fun traditional fan favorites that bring them back year after year."
The vendors — including the Greatness Cafe inside the museum — will offer menus that include guest favorites such as pulled pork, jerk chicken and fruit skewers. They also will offer other menu items, including poke bowls.
Gessner Hall will be used as a cooling station and educational activities will be held inside, freeing up lawn space.
"The weather looks beautiful and warm so come on and enjoy the party," Nicholis Coon added.
Here's what you need to know if you attend the Island Party:
When does the Island Party begin?
Let's party! Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Rain or shine, guests are invited to the free event on the museum's lawn, Duncan Plaza and First Street SE. Guests can enter through one of two entrances — Lincoln Way East near the corner of Lincoln Way and First Street SE and Duncan Plaza near the municipal parking lot.
Free parking is available in city lots, the city parking deck on Erie Street S and the St. George Greek Orthodox and St. John’s UCC parking lots. Drivers can drop off guests at an accessible entrance on First Street. Driver should enter from Tremont. For more info about parking options, visit massillonmuseum.org.
What food will be available?
Come hungry! Food and beverage service begins at 6 p.m.
Big Deal Whitfield, A Moveable Feast Food Truck and Kona Ice will offer chips and salsa, jerk chicken, lobster rolls, Hawaiian poke bowl, smoked pulled pork, arroz con pollo, fruit salad, crab rangoon nachos, and other island fare.
The Greatness Cafe, located in the museum lobby, is open until 9 p.m. Greatness Cafe will offer a rice and jerk chicken bowl, as well as its full menu.
What beverages will be available?
Grab a drink! Jamaican Red Stripe and local favorite Paradigm Shift's Island Juice will be flowing.
Guests can also enjoy frozen margaritas, wine, and soft drinks. Buehler’s and Aqua Ohio will provide complimentary water. Cash and credit cards will be accepted. No outside food, beverages, or coolers. DORA drinks are not allowed in the party area.
There will be plenty of activities
Have fun! Kids of all ages are welcome to try their hand at Hula-Hoops and limbo. Performers from Divine Harmony will bring bubbles and stilts.
Guests can visit the museum's exhibits, including the main gallery's Gilding Northeast Ohio: Fashion and Fortune 1870–1900 exhibit that features costumes from the HBO hit "The Gilded Age." Galleries will be open until 7 p.m.
The reggae music will be flowing
Get jammin'! Enjoy the sounds of the Jackson High School Steel Drum Band from 6 to 6:45 p.m. followed by the reggae sounds of crowd favorite Carlos Jones and the PLUS Band. Voted "the Best Reggae/Ska Band" in Northeast Ohio by "Scene Magazine" readers' poll, Carlos Jones has appeared onstage with The Wailers and Ziggy Marley.
Rudy Turkal will emcee the show, which goes on rain or shine.
Island Party T-shirts will be for sale
Grab a T-shirt! Guests can purchase a 2024 Island Party T-shirt featuring the original artwork of local artist Israel Katrina.
This article originally appeared on The Independent: Massillon Museum celebrates community support with 30th Island Party
