Curtain comes up on summer concert series in Downers Grove
For anyone hankering for a "cheeseburger in paradise" or looking for some fun in a "small town," the Downers Grove Park District's Summer Concert Series may be just the ticket.
Every Tuesday night from May 28 through Aug. 20, free concerts in Fishel Park near the village's downtown will feature live rock, pop and country acts.
Jimmy Buffet fans should mark their datebooks for July 2 when Johnny Russler and The Beach Bum Band returns to deliver hits close to parrot-heads' hearts.
Mellencougar, a John Mellencamp-inspired band, will take the Veterans Memorial Pavilion band shell stage July 9.
Other acts scheduled to reprise their past Fishel Park shows include country band Hillbilly Rockstarz on July 30, Billy Joel and Elton John cover band Piano Man on July 23, and Semple, a pop band, on July 16.
Rounding out the schedule, the series opens May 28 with pop band Brass from the Past, followed by a June 4 show featuring Spoken Four. On June 11, Kaleidoscope Eyes will present its renditions of acoustic Beatles hits. A night of country music is on tap June 18 with Mason Rivers, followed by the Feel Good Party Band on June 25.
Dancing Queen, an Abba tribute band, will play Aug. 6, followed by an Aug. 13 show with Fool House, a '90s hits band. The season wraps up Aug. 20 with rock 'n' roll oldies from The Stingrays.
"We're really excited for the lineup. Each year we try to elevate the level," said Dawn Hartman, park district marketing director.
Summer concerts in the park are a long-standing tradition in Downers Grove, Hartman said.
"The park district has been offering a summer concert series, with various names, for over 40 years," she said. "It's become kind of a go-to summer fun location for people in the area. It's 13 weeks long. We're offering a wide variety."
Several food vendors will be on site each week offering a variety of menus and food choices. The summer fare includes ribs, pizza, popcorn, ice cream, fajitas and toasty cheese.
While visitors will be permitted to bring their own food and drink, Hartman said visitors may not bring alcoholic beverages. A selection of beer, wine, blended spirits and hard cider will be available for purchase with ID beginning at 6 p.m. each concert night.
Different adult beverages will be highlighted.
"In the month of July, we're going to have a featured beverage every week," she said.
The events appeal to adults, kids and to families, Hartman said.
"We definitely see a lot of families coming out to the concert series," she said. "This year we're working with partners to have more hands-on activities - arts and crafts activities."
The concerts will go on, rain or shine, unless extreme weather is encountered.
"We typically have had to cancel only one per summer," she said.
Visitors may bring blankets and chairs.
"Dogs are welcome. Strollers are welcome. We try to make it as friendly and inclusive as possible," Hartman said. "It's a fun, relaxing environment that we offer."
If you go
What: Downers Grove Park District Summer Concert Series
When: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, May 28 through Aug. 20
Where: Fishel Park, 1036 Grove St., Downers Grove
Admission: Free
Info: dgparks.org