The Extreme Tour will be making a family-friendly stop in Fairmont on Friday for a free concert from 5-9 p.m. at Sylvania Park.

Jamie Kueker, an organizer, explained that The Extreme Tour is the world’s largest free music and extreme sports tour. This is its 25th year of doing major tours.

“They go all over the country and do over 100 shows each year,” he explained.

The Extreme Tour’s website lists all its stops, which include nearly every state this summer. It also goes on an international tour.

“They’re either unsigned artists or up-and-coming artists. The idea is the established artists train the newer ones for life on the road and they train them for how to share the gospel with people in a non-threatening way, but more conversationally,” Kueker explained.

Kueker has raising funds to help feed the artists because, as he pointed out, they are not paid for what they do. He is also responsible for finding a place for the artists to stay.

“The Fairmont Covenant Church has been a tremendous partner and will be housing them for the three days they’ll be in town,” Kueker said.

Mrs. Gerry’s Kitchen in Albert Lea will donate some food.

“I have a few business partners lined up so far as sponsors. Good News Bookstore, Car Parts Direct and Dutch Creek Farms,” Kueker noted.

He said everything came about through social media after he sent a friend request to someone on Facebook in February. The two got to talking, and Kueker found out the man was a founder of The Extreme Tour.

“I thought it was kind of cool so I asked how we could make Fairmont part of their U.S. tour. One thing led to another and before I knew it, June 14 was set up as the date that they’re coming to Fairmont,” he explained.

Kueker is still working to bring a few other features into the event. Several artists are lined up to perform, including Amy-Lynn Howson, a singer/songwriter from Canada; an indie-alternative husband and wife duo called Gr8Frt; and GalleryCat, a hip-hop artist.

The concert may offer an impromptu skating competition, with a prize for the top “performers.”

Kueker also said there will be food provided, and food for purchase.

He pointed out that now that it is summer, a lot of families are struggling for food since children are not getting fed at school.

“I’m hoping to get the word out to encourage people to bring non-perishable foods to the park this Friday to help get Heaven’s Table’s shelves stocked back up,” Kueker said.

He has been advertising the event by handing out flyers at businesses and in neighborhoods. He also created a Facebook page — Extreme Tour 2019 — on which he has posted additional information and promotional videos.

“I don’t know what to expect or how big of a turnout there will be, but it should be a lot of fun,” Kueker said.

Everyone from the area is invited to attend.

Following its stop in Fairmont, The Extreme Tour will visit Mankato, Hastings and the Twin Cities.