By Joe Bachman

Polka is alive and well in Wisconsin Rapids — and residents are welcomed to a taste of it this coming Saturday.

Alex Quinnell’s Polka Band will bring the genre to Rapids as a part of Music Fest this weekend.

Quinnell has had a drumstick in his hand since he was three, and while he grew up with polka, his influence from drummers on the east coast wasn’t enough. Quinnell would eventually start to pull from jazz, blues and funk to impact his sound.

Quinnell will be pulling triple duty this weekend, as not only will he be drumming for his own band, but also with the Cowboy Union Jam and long time musicians, The Phixx. While the 20-year-old has been playing music for 17 years, he shows no signs of slowing down, and owes it all to the fans.

“We really owe it to the people of Rapids that come out to support live music every weekend,” said Quinnell. “Especially the venues — without the venues we really wouldn’t have what we have going.”

According to Quinnell, the local music scene keeps growing — and keeps improving.

“This music scene has been great since I started, and it’s only gotten better with new venues opening up,” said Quinnell. “Pushing out new styles — not only just rock and roll and country, but you see bars have different genres of music every week, and that’s what we need.”

You can catch Quinnell playing at the 12:00 p.m. slot at Music Fest this Saturday at Robinson Park.