Villa Park Kiwanis begins 30th summer concert series

The Villa Park Kiwanis Club will launch its 30th anniversary season of summer concerts tonight.

Area church choirs and other Villa Park musicians will open the series at 6:30 p.m. at the Rugaard Gazebo along the Illinois Prairie Path at Ardmore Avenue in Villa Park.

"Kiwanis concerts are a real opportunity for the community to come together and join each other in some great fun," Villa Park Trustee Tom Cullerton said.

The summer concerts debuted in 1978 after Victor Bruchan, then citizenship chairman of Villa Park Kiwanis, pitched the idea to his committee. The panel liked the idea and brought the rest of the club on board.

"I thought it was a good idea for the community. It's entertainment for people. People can meet their friends there, have a Coke or a sandwich and enjoy the music," said John Craft, a member of the Kiwanis group that launched the series.

The Kiwanis then presented it to the village's recreation department, which embraced the concept of co-sponsoring the concerts.

The series, initially named the Mid-Summer Nite Concerts, was first presented on the grassy area in front of Willowbrook High School along Ardmore Avenue. The concert series moved in 1986 to the current site along the Prairie Path, farther north on Ardmore. The gazebo became the performers' stage once it was completed in 1989.

The opening concert in 1978 offered classical and semiclassical music, but varieties of American popular music became the norm. Over the years, the lineup has included groups playing country-western, bluegrass, Dixieland jazz, jazz and blues, Big Band swing, contemporary pop and rock.

This season features three concerts, one for each decade of the summer concerts history.

Villa Park musicians open the series, followed by the country-western sounds of The Hoyle Brothers July 16 and The Only Sons' 1980s mix of retro, classic rock and disco July 23.

The concerts start at 6:30 p.m. A concession stand will be available so listeners can enjoy alfresco dining while listening to the music.

"It's a great family event. It's just a walk away," said concert regular Al Scott.

For details, call the village's recreation department at (630) 834-8970.