After six bands, hundreds of painted faces and countless scoops of ice cream, organizers and attendees alike are calling the 28th annual Concerts in the Park series a huge success.
‘It’s been an outstanding series,? said Penny Shanks, Clarkston area Chamber of Commerce executive director. ‘The band line-up was all new, and they were all better than their demo tapes.?
Musicians are carefully selected based on those tapes, said Shanks, as well as on word-of-mouth recommendations.
The Rick and Dayna Leider Band and Last Man Standing, said Shanks, were a toss up for her own personal favorites, but all six bands were crowd-pleasers.
‘We could easily have them all back,? she said. ‘But we want to mix it up, keep things new.?
The season kicked off June 22 with 50s hits by Legend the Band, and closed Friday with swing band music by the Stardusters.
Shanks estimated first night attendance exceeded 2,500, with about 2,000 singing, dancing and socializing in Depot Park every week thereafter.
‘The weather was blessed,? said Shanks. ‘This was the first time in 10 years we haven’t had rain on at least one event.?
In addition to the music, face-painting was provided by ShowOffs Body Art, and a different local non-profit organization raised money through the sale of concessions every week.
Anywhere from 8-20 volunteers helped set up, hand out programs, scoop ice cream, tear down’and even clean bathrooms for each event.
‘It’s kind of sad that it’s over,? said Concerts in the Park co-chair Carol Peters. ‘It’s such a great family event. People bring their kids, food, the dog; it’s been a wonderful season.?
Set up crews took the precaution of ordering tents when rain threatened Friday morning, but by concert time skies were blue and sunny’although a high level of humidity caused discomfort for the crowd and band alike.
‘It was so hot and humid under that tent,? said Stardusters? lead alto Jen Williams, a Clarkston area resident. ‘It’s hard to play when it’s like that, but we did the best we could.?
But the crowd didn’t seem to mind.
‘It’s the first time I’ve been here,? said Bob Fields. ‘I really enjoyed it. They were a good band’that’s the kind of music I like.?
Others came to several of the events’some could pick out a favorite, others preferred not to choose.
‘I went to about three (of the concerts),? said Gwen Hopp, noting she particularly enjoyed Beth Stalker. ‘They’re getting better every year.?
One couple staked a claim on a particular corner of Depot Park, where the main sidewalk meets pavers leading to the gazebo.
‘We’ve been to every one of the concerts,? said Tanya Molczyk. ‘We like to watch people, have dinner. It’s fun.?
After a stop at Rudy’s, Molczyk and husband Joe set up a table’complete with red and white checked cloth, candle and real dishes’in the same spot every week.
Nearby, others were also enjoying the season’s last concert.
‘It’s brilliant,? said Mel Bradley in a heavy British accent, explaining she and her husband Martin moved from overseas just seven weeks ago. ‘They don’t do anything like this in England’it’s a real community feeling, like everybody knows everybody.?
Now that Concerts in the Park has wrapped up for the season, the Chamber is planning its next event; Taste of Clarkston takes place Sun., Sept. 30 in downtown Clarkston.
‘We’ve got a lot of really cool restaurants coming in this year,? said Shanks. ‘And all of the old favorites are back too.?