Name That Tower Tunes Live
A Mahanay Maestro will play the carillon with songs of their choice. Individuals or groups will write down the titles of the songs. The Maestro will announce the titles at the end. Prizes are awarded!
Name That Tower Tune
Do you like trivia? Especially musical trivia? Then plan to play Name That Tower Tune during the Wednesday Tower Tunes Live concerts at the Mahanay Bell Tower. Mahanay Maestros will play the four octave carillon from 12:15 – 12:30 pm. with songs of their choice. The entirety of each song will be played, not just a few notes.
Participants will have an official sheet to write down the titles of the songs. No cell phones or song identification apps are allowed. At the end of the live concert, the Mahanay Maestro will announce the correct titles. Mahanay Music Committee members will assist the participants and determine a winner. Prizes will be awarded. Music Committee members include Nancy Teusch, Janet Durlam, Joann Rasmussen, Ces Brunow, Pat Richards, Don VanGilder, Peg Raney and Bill Monroe.
The Name That Tower Tune event will begin on Wednesday, May 31 with Mahanay Maestro Rick Morain and continue each Wednesday through the end of June. Participants are encouraged to arrive at the Mahanay Bell Tower soon after noon to receive a sheet and instructions prior to the 12:15 pm live concert.
The Bell Tower Foundation encourages people to pick up a to-go lunch at any of the local restaurants and enjoy it on the Bell Tower Plaza during these lunch time events.
Name That Tower Tune Live Concert
A Mahanay Maestro will play the carillon with songs of their choice. Individuals or groups will write down the titles of the songs. The Maestro will announce the titles at the end. Prizes are awarded!
Opening for 2023
The Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower, recently ranked as the #1 rural tourist attraction in Iowa, officially is open weekends in May. Hours are Saturday and Sunday from 10 am – 4 pm. The tower will be open daily from Memorial Day weekend through the end of September. The hours remain at 10 am – 4 pm. Appointments for special tours during the week in May or at other hours during the season when the tower is not open to the public can be made by calling the Welcome Center at 515-386-2155.
The four octaves of bells play the Westminster chimes at each quarter hour throughout the day. A carillon concert of two songs is played after each hour from 8 am – 8 pm. Mahanay Maestros, local and area musicians, provide special Tower Tunes Live concerts during the season. For a schedule go to www.mahanaybelltower.org
An elevator, handicap accessible, takes visitors to the glass-enclosed Nally Observation Deck up 128 feet for a view of the landscape of five counties and the five installations of rooftop art on buildings around the square. Local artist Dana Harrison is currently working on another rooftop art creation, a project of the Tower View Team of Jefferson Matters. Four new Ring Out for Art sculptures have been installed for the season on the Bell Tower Plaza.
The lobby has souvenirs and a video and historical items telling the story of the tower and the Jefferson community. A display honors the many Bell Tower of Fame Award recipients. The hospitality-trained tower tour guides are very knowledgeable about the history of the tower and Greene County.
Tower admission is $5 for adults. Youth 18-years old and younger are admitted free, courtesy of annual sponsors. The 2023 sponsors are the Victor Zike Trust and the Rosalene (Kay) Zike Trust, in memory of the parents of Bell Tower Foundation President Carole Custer. Season passes are available at the tower for $25.
For more information about the tower and its activities, follow the Mahanay Bell Tower Facebook page and check out its website www.mahanaybelltower.org
Bells Are Ringing!
The Mahanay Memorial Carillon is ringing again! The problem with the controller has been fixed by the Verdin Company of Ohio and the bells can now chime. Each hour and quarter hour, the bells play the Westminster Chimes. Two songs are played several minutes after each hour from 8 am – 8 pm. Visitors love hearing the bells ring and the community is glad to hear them again too!
Chews Jefferson concerts every Wednesday
Chews Jefferson is a Wednesday lunch event for the summer. It will begin on Wednesday, June 1 and continue each week through the end of August. Residents and visitors are encouraged to order take-out lunch from the many restaurants in Jefferson, and enjoy a Tower Tunes Live concert downtown. A variety of Mahanay Maestros will be playing live each Wednesday from 12:15 – 12:30 p.m. Each will select their own playlist. The lunch and the music will be a treat for all to enjoy!
This popular event is a promotion coordinated with Jefferson Matters: A Main Street & Chamber Community and the Bell Tower Community Foundation.
Veteran’s Day Tower Tunes Live Concert on Nov. 11
On Veteran’s Day, November 11, a special Tower Tunes Live concert will be performed by Mahanay Maestro Rick Morain. From 12:15 – 12:30 pm, the public is invited to listen to the four octave carillon concert. Rick’s playlist will certainly be amazing selections to honor our veterans. The Veteran’s Day concert is part of the regular Tower Tunes Live concert series set up by the Board of Supervisors and coordinated through the Bell Tower Community Foundation.
Veteran’s Day Concert
A Tower Tunes Live Concert will be performed by Mahanay Maestro Rick Morain on Veteran’s Day from 12:15 – 12:30 pm.
55th Birthday Concert on Oct. 16
The dedication of the Mahanay Bell Tower took place 55 years ago in 1966, and each year it is a time to celebrate. A Tower Tunes Live Birthday Concert will be played Saturday, Oct. 16, from 12:15 – 12:30 pm. Local Mahanay Maestro Sheryl Sloan will perform her favorite music on the carillon for the community to enjoy.
Bell Tower Foundation board members will hand out special birthday treats to the first 55 in-person listeners. Ding-Dongs and a penny for the penny souvenir press will be distributed on the plaza or to those listening from their vehicles. The penny press is located in the lobby area of the Tower.
The Mahanay Bell Tower has moved to October regular hours of Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. Youth age 18 and younger can ride the elevator to the top at no charge courtesy of Rotary Club of Jefferson. Adults pay $3 to ride to the observation deck.
Covid precautions are in still in place with masks optional for the comfort level of the visitors and staff. Limited numbers allow for social distancing in the elevator and observation deck.
Visitors may also call for an appointment for during the week by calling the Jefferson Matters: A Main Street & Chamber Community office at 515-386-2155.
Tower Tunes Live 55th Birthday Concert
Local Mahanay Maestro Sheri Sloan will be playing the carillon for this special concert on Saturday, Oct. 16 from 12:15 – 12:30 p.m. Please come downtown to listen to the concert and celebrate this birthday!
