Summer and Free Outdoor Concerts: Now That's Living

Summer is great for a lot of reasons. Being able to enjoy outdoor activities heads the list. We probably spend more time outdoors in the summer than during the other three seasons combined.

Golf, swimming, bicycling, backyard barbecues—name your fun. To top it off, there’s nothing like a summer evening enjoying live music under the stars – especially when it’s free.

Music just sounds better outdoors. There’s a festival feeling to the experience—you can actually feel the music amid the fresh air and a warm breeze.

If that sounds like your kind of fun, the Fox Valley Park District is going to make your summer. During the next three months, the Park District will stage six free Concerts in the Park at various parks, all at no charge.

Each show is a come-as-you-are affair. Simply head to the park with a blanket or a couple lawn chairs, set up your little fan station and get your groove on.

Concerts are on Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9 p.m. The fun begins next week. Here’s the lineup of bands:

Smokin’ Gunz
June 16 at Montgomery Park
Smokin’ Gunz is a Top 40 country band whose members hail from the suburbs. Their concerts are the equivalent of a country music dance party—so maybe you won’t need that chair! Prior to the show, line dancing lessons from Cathy Vary, instructor at Saddle Up Saloon, will be offered.

Yorkville Big Band
June 30 at Montgomery Park
Truly a big band, the 21-member Yorkville Big Band belts out patriotic music and other perennial favorites that are always well-received and appreciated by equally big crowds.

August
July 7 at McCullough Park
A local favorite, August delivers horn-driven rock ’n’roll with a balance of soul, rhythm and blues and hint of jazz. In 2010, the band released a highly acclaimed CD entitled Second Time Around. Onstage, the 13-member band provides a unique, visually impressive experience that fans will vividly remember. Beforehand, the Olive Garden will be selling spaghetti dinners to benefit the Hope For Tomorrow Scholarship Fund.

Gallery
July 14 at Montgomery Park
Gallery plays classic rock from bands such as Styx, Rush, REO Speedwagon, Journey, Kansas, Pink Floyd, Van Halen, Genesis, Foreigner, Cheap Trick, Metallica, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Bad Company and many more. Food from Fay’s Barbeque will be available before the show (presale tickets are $12), courtesy of the Greater Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce.

American Legion Band
July 28 at McCullough Park
Set amid the stately oaks and the riverside setting of McCullough Park, the American Legion band will be performing for its 73rd year of service. The band is an eclectic mix featuring all ages—veterans, non-veterans and student musicians—playing patriotic, classical and popular music.

Saturday June Band
Aug. 4 at McCullough Park
Saturday June Band has performed at Chicagofest, Taste of Chicago, Arlington Race Track, Navy Pier, the Park West and Ravinia as well as for the White Sox and Bulls. The band plays covers and originals with an infectious enthusiasm that will make concert-goers get up and groove.

Jeff Long is the public relations manager for the Fox Valley Park District. Contact him at jlong@fvpd.net

Fox Valley Park District
Upcoming Events

Sunday, June 12: Ice Cream Social at Blackberry Farm, 1 to 2 p.m.
Sunday, June 12: Antique Car Show at Blackberry Farm, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 16: Free Concert in the Park – Smokin’ Gunz at Montgomery Park, 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Saturday, June 18: Phillips Fest 20th anniversary celebration and Splash Bash water park party, noon to 3 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday, June 18-19: Family Camp Out at Blackberry Farm, 6:30 p.m. to 9 a.m.
Sunday, June 19: Father’s Day at Blackberry Farm with live music (1 p.m.), 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.