Concerts in the Park
School is out and so is the sun, which means it’s time for Concerts in the Park. A long-standing tradition in Orange, these free weekly summer concerts have brought joy and entertainment to community members for about 20 years.
This year the Community Services Department is hosting eight family-friendly concerts in city public parks on Wednesdays from 6:30 - 8 pm. Every week, a new music group with a distinct sound rocks out and entertains a crowd of hundreds of people. Audiences bring blankets, lawn chairs, picnic baskets, friends and family to enjoy a new sound every week.
As a music lover and musician, Dr. Alex Romero of Orange Circle Optometry takes his family every year. They walk around and find friends and community members set up in their usual spots.
“For me, it’s fun seeing all the people,” says Romero. He and his son are partial to the rock groups like Superlark, who have performed in past concerts.
“He likes watching the bands,” Romero says about his son, who like his father, is already a musician at the age of six.
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Wilson Automotive Group saves the music by stepping in to keep the Concerts in the Park series alive this summer after City budget cuts.
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The Romeros aren’t the only ones who come for the rock music. When the classic tunes get going, one can find a fan or two head banging among the seated audience, singing along with the band. Those who aren’t seated are dancing up front, many with young children who express themselves freely as they watch the crowd do the same.
Along with live entertainment, you can find the Kiwanis Club of Orange every year selling food and refreshments to raise funds for projects and scholarships.
Shannon Tucker, third time President of the Kiwanis Club of Orange, and her husband Frank, have attended the concerts since they became members of the Kiwanis in 2007. The club itself has participated for longer.
“These concerts aren’t just events,” says Shannon. “They add value and make our community more wholesome and family oriented.”
Every year, you can find the Tuckers running the Kiwanis stand selling burgers, hot dogs and refreshments to concert attendees. If you think you’re tasting something deliciously familiar, it’s because the bread is donated by OC Baking Company based in Orange, which often donates bread for the club’s fundraisers.
The Kiwanis Club is grateful not only for the opportunity the concerts create to fundraise, they’re also happy to offer Orange high school students community service hours. Every year, the Kiwanis Club also donates money to the Community Services Department as a way of giving back to the city that creates opportunities for them.
“We’re out in the community, we’re meeting people, we’re enjoying the music, and our members love it,” says Shannon. This year’s lineup has showcased music spanning more than 70 years of hits, including The Wiseguys Big Band Machine, 90s Rockshow and The New Romantics, a Taylor Swift tribute band.
Highschooler Ashley Ramirez and her friends attended the first concert at El Camino Real Park. They were so impressed that they came back to see The New Romantics.
Whether you’re a Swiftie, an 80’s fan, or a Motown lover, the Concerts in the Park have something for everyone to enjoy. If you find yourself free on a warm Wednesday night, take the family to the park for one of the summer’s most anticipated events.
City of Orange Concerts in the Park
El Camino Park, 400 North Main St., Orange, CA 92868
Jun 12 Knyght Ryder: 80's Flashback
Hart Park, 701 South Glassell St., Orange, CA 92866
Jun 19 The Trip: Rock Classics
Jun 26 The New Romantics: Taylor Swift Tribute
Jul 3 No Concert: Join us at Grajalva Park for the 3rd of July Event
Jul 10 The Latin Soul Band: Latin, Soul & R&B Dance Hits
Jul 17 Wiseguys Big Band Machine: Big Band, Swing
Jul 24 Soul3Sixty: Motown, 50’s & 60’s
Jul 31 90’s Rock Show: 90’s Hits
Grijalva Park, 368 North Prospect St., Orange CA 9286
Aug 7 Stone Soul: Soul, R&B & Motown
