A century old musical tradition continues this year with the 107th Summer in the Parks concert series at Marina Park.
The Roy Coran Jazz Big Band kicks off the season Wednesday night followed by Mark Potvin’s Little Swing Band. They are just two of the 23 acts lined up for this summer's eight concerts.
Of the 23 performers, 12 of them are new from last year’s lineup and they offer a variety of styles including rock, country, folk and blues, said summer festivals and events coordinator Jean-Paul De Roover.
“We have theme nights that work according to the instrumentation and the groups we have performing,” said De Roover, adding that in-between bands, they’ll have alternative acts like dance groups, drum circles and pipe and drum bands take the stage.
“Some things that just get that little bit of exposure for five to 10 minutes in-between changeovers but not necessarily a full showcase on the main stage,” he said.
Hitting the stage on July 13 is 17-year-old Celtic fiddler Olivia Korkola, who said she’s thrilled to be playing Summer in the Parks.
“It’s really cool because it’s supporting the local community and the music,” she said. “It’s also a really cool gig.”
Korkola is playing the same night as the Campbell Family Band and Captain John and the Polka Pirates for what De Roover called a Celtic night.
Summer in the Parks has grown considerably over the years, forcing the venue to change from Waverley Park to the main band shell at Marina Park. De Roover said they see audiences of around 3,000 to 5,000 people each week.
“Even with the park in the state it is in now, we’re still exceeding expectations on a weekly basis, which is something that’s really great,” he said.
In addition to the live entertainment, the Wednesday night concerts will also have on-site concessions, an artisan’s market and Caricatures for Charity, which raises money for Shelter House.
The Summer in the Parks Shuttle Bus is also back this year running from the Heart of the Harbour Parkade on Court Street through the downtown core. People can flag the bus down en route to the park and be dropped off at the festival area. There will be no general parking around the festival area.
For more information and a complete lineup see www.thunderbay.ca/summerintheparks.
