The Naperville Park District’s outdoor concert series returns this summer with six free shows at six different parks featuring a variety of musical styles with high-energy appeal for a broad audience.
The Concert in Your Park program is designed to take advantage of Naperville’s extensive park system and offer performances in all parts of the community.
“We try to spread things out each year,” said Brittany Malatt, program manager for the Naperville Park District. “This has always been popular, so each year we try to bring it to different parks and reach people in their own neighborhood.”
Each concert takes place on a Sunday evening, with the first show scheduled for Queensbury Greens June 12.
“Last year we had 300 to 600 people for each show,” Malatt said. “People really come out for these.”
In addition to the live music, you’ll also often find additional family-focused activities at each event.
“We have a number of sponsors for each event, and they’ll each usually set up a tent and offer something, whether it’s a giveaway, or a kids game, or something to attract attention,” Malatt said. “This is a family-friendly event, so they’re often focused on something kids can do.”
The series kicks off at Queensbury Greens with a performance by The Student Body, a Chicago-based, five-piece cover band that focuses on high-energy songs from the ’80s and ’90s. Its humorous show takes the retro theme seriously, with each member of the band representing an ’80s high school stereotype: the prom king, the cheerleader, the nerd, the hippie and the jock.
The second show, June 26 at Walnut Ridge Park, features Good Clean Fun, a band fronted by a husband and wife duo who perform party hits spanning seven decades.
You’ll get a taste of the Caribbean when Mr. Myers comes to Ashbury Park on July 10. The band features a mix of reggae, calypso and beach music, highlighted by band founder Todd Donnelly’s steel drums and percussion.
The Nashville Electric Company will perform at Century Farms Park July 17, bringing its down-home country sound to Naperville. The band covers a wide range of country artists and country-infused rock.
HiFi Superstar headlines the July 24 show at Westglen Commons Park. This four-piece party band performs dance and rock songs from the 1970s through today.
In the final show of the series, the FeelGood Party Band comes to Cantore Park on July 31. This cover band features an eclectic mix of styles, playing hits from performers ranging from Tom Petty and Def Leppard to Beyonce and Earth, Wind & Fire.
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“These bands are all entertaining,” Malatt said. “They know how to put on a show.”
Naperville Concert in Your Park Series
When and When: 7 p.m. June 12 at Queensbury Greens, 1520 Brookdale Road; 7 p.m. June 26 at Walnut Ridge Park, 2304 Keim Drive; 7 p.m. July 10 at Ashbury Park, 1740 Conan Doyle Road; 7 p.m. July 17 at Century Farms Park, 715 Sigmund Road; 7 p.m. July 24 at Westglen Commons, 467 Westglen Drive; and 7 p.m. July 31 at Cantore Park, 2507 Warm Springs Lane
Tickets: Free
Information: napervilleparks.org
Jeff Banowetz is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.