Mikkelson Park features tennis courts, horseshoe sandboxes, picnic shelters, sand volleyball, a disc golf course, a local swimming pool and the high school baseball field, and the bandshell.
The Mikkelson Park bandshell is dedicated to Charles E. Kime, who is remembered for his talented trumpet playing of the 1930s as well as his direction of New Hampton's town band for many years. Senior residents in this part of Iowa still remember attending concerts at the bandshell. Warm summer weekends in the 1940s and 1950s saw many an automobile in the park, American march music booming and families tapping their toes to the beat. Today the bandshell is still a focal center for the community and the park surrounding it hosts a great many facilities.
Mikkelson Park is also the arena for two annual events: Heartland Days and the New Hampton Motorcycle Rally. Heartland Days is held each year on the second weekend of June. It's a great chance to watch the local dance company perform, try your hand in the bags tournament, and groove to an evening concert. The New Hampton Motorcycle Rally is held the weekend after Labor Day and is also a great time to visit. The rally has a large vendor village, live music, and many family friendly activities. Find out more on the rally website: www.nhrally@outlook.com
For information concerning summer concerts in the bandshell, contact the New Hampton Parks & Recreation Department at 641-394-5464 or visit www.newhamptonia.com. New Horizons Chamber for New Hampton, Iowa is also on Facebook.