Local Music Tap: Hibbing Dylan Days Disbands

The celebration of legendary folk songwriter Bob Dylan in his hometown of Hibbing is on an "indefinite hiatus", according to the Hibbing Dylan Days committee.

For more than a decade, the music and arts event attracted fans of all ages to the mining town every May, featuring a singer-songwriter contest, writing contest and literary showcase, visual arts competition, a Bobby Zimmerman bus tour, live music and more.

But the committee says combined personal factors for the three people mainly responsible for Dylan Days – including co-chair Linda Stroback Hocking being forced to close the Dylan-themed restaurant Zimmy's -- make it impossible for the current committee to continue. The committee voted to disband on Oct. 22, 2014.

There's no reason to despair just quite yet, however.

"It remains the hope of the outgoing committee that new volunteers will step forward to continue Dylan Days programming in the city of Hibbing in honor of the town's most famous son, and the reason for thousands of tourist stops in Hibbing every year," the committee said. "We are transferring our remaining funds to the Hibbing Arts Council for future appropriate use to honor Dylan."

The committee also says their longtime partner and collaborator, Duluth Dylan Fest, will continue to take place and will include elements from Hibbing Dylan Days.

The early days of Dylan Days began at Zimmy's in 1991. A citywide committee -- led by the Chamber of Commerce -- formed in 2001 and eventually became its own independent non-profit association.

--------

Local Music Tap is a blog aimed at promoting Minnesota-based musicians, bands, shows and events. If you have music blog ideas, please email cepremo@wcco.com or leave a comment below. Also, follow the Local Music Tap on Twitter and on YouTube.