Cache Is Not At The Posted Coordinates
Mr. Toot is the mascot not only of the North Iowa Band Festival, but also for Mason City as a whole. His image has appeared on everything from T-Shirts to business cards to city light poles. Now his image also appears on the geocaching map just south of Mason City Iowa. Each of these puzzles will include a fact or story in theme with the art series. Some may also include a question or two for you to answer correctly to find the coordinates.
Mason City
When The Music Man Square opened in May 2002, it was envisioned as a mecca for young musicians, music enthusiasts and visitors from all over the country who could bask in the atmosphere of the tuneful history of Meredith Willson.
Chiseled into the stone at the top of the structure are the joyous lyrics from Willson’s most famous song: “76 Trombones Led the Big Parade.”
Fourteen years later, on a recent Tuesday afternoon, the long, decorative streetscape is empty. A few volunteers sit in the office waiting to assist any visitors that might come in. But on this afternoon, there aren’t any. Willson, the hometown boy who wrote “The Music Man” and who died in 1984, might be tempted to say, “There’s trouble in River City.”
The Music Man Square is losing about $60,000 a year, according to board members.
West Entrance Music Man Square
“We’re not on a sinking ship, but we’re on life support,” Barron said. “We’re floundering.” He thinks reorganization of the staff and restructuring some of the programs will help right the ship. “We’re still getting bookings. We’re still getting tour buses. We’re still getting grants,” he said. “But it isn’t enough.”
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