By Marissa Sweatland
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — The Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department is back with its 27th annual Summer Concert Series. On Fridays, throughout the summer, the parks department has organized free, family-friendly concerts taking place in one of the community’s beautiful parks. Every concert highlights a different musical genre, so all music lovers should find a concert that matches their style.
“It really has been so fun to be a part of the Summer Concert Series,” said Stephanie Schaefer, recreation director of the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department. “Each year, it seems like more and more people come out.”
The Summer Concert Series is made possible through grants from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation and the Indiana Arts Commission. For a full list of sponsors, visit warsaw.in.gov/parks.
“We would love to see that growth continue in the years to come,” Lynnae Miller, assistant recreation director of the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department. “We hope to bring an even bigger crowd as this is part of what we love doing for our community.”
Concert-goers are encouraged to bring their own blankets or lawn chairs for comfortable seating. The parks department discourages bringing umbrellas, as they block the view for others.
This year’s series kicked off last Friday, May 24 with Matt Gabriel, a pop performer, in Central Park. Each concert is from 7-8:30 p.m.
The next concert in the series will highlight 1950s to today cover band, Moonshots Friday, May 31. The concert will take place at Lucerne Park, 800 N. Park Ave., Warsaw.
The next concert is Friday, June 7, and will be The Sound performing gospel chart toppers in Central Park, 225 E. Fort Wayne St., Warsaw.
On Friday, June 14, Lightnin’ Rod and The Thunderbolts will fill the night air with some blues in Lucerne Park.
The Moon Cats will delight concert-goers with beloved songs from the 50s to 70s in Lucerne Park Friday, June 28.
Kennedy’s Kitchen will bring some Irish culture to Lucerne Park with a performance Friday, July 12.
On Friday, Aug. 2, the Lake Area Community Band will perform in Central Park. The Lake Area Community Band is a concert band based in Syracuse.
The following week, Friday, Aug. 9, Big Daddy Dupree’s Broke and Hungry Blues Band will perform the blues in Lucerne Park.
Hubie Ashcraft will round out the concert series with a country concert Friday, Aug. 16 at the Glover Pavilion, 225 E. Fort Wayne St., Warsaw.
In addition to the Summer Concert Series, the Warsaw Parks Department also offers two free concerts benefitting two children’s hospitals.
The 30th annual Rockin’ for Riley Concert will be hosted at the Glover Pavilion Friday, June 21. The Michael Weber Show will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. with Everclear appearing at 8 p.m. Last year, the 107.3 WRSW community were able to raise $11,000 for Riley’s Children Hospital.
The 28th annual Country Concert for St. Jude will be hosted at the Glover Pavilion Friday, July 19. Kaitlyn Baker and Joe Lasher will open at 6:30 p.m. for Kimberly Perry at 8 p.m. Last year, the Willie 103.5 community was able to raise $9,000 for St. Jude’s Children Hospital.
Community members can donate cash onsite during both benefit concerts. New at the upcoming Rockin’ for Riley and Country Concert for St. Jude is text-to-donate lines, so attendees can donate using debit or credit cards, too. The donate lines will be announced at each concert.
The Summer Concert Series doesn’t host food vendors, but the Rockin’ for Riley and Country for St. Jude do. Vendors attending the benefit concerts are community favorites, such as Poppers KettleCorn, Kona Ice of Marshall County, Smothered and Covered Fries and more. Concert-goers are permitted to bring snacks and beverages as long as trash is picked up and disposed of properly. No alcohol is permitted on park premises.
Concerts are weather permitting. To keep up-to-date with parks department happenings and events, “like” the department on Facebook, facebook.com/warsawncparksandrec.
