THUNDER BAY — Close to 250 people applauded Tommy Horricks as he took to the stage for the first Sunday in the Park on the north side of the Chippewa Park Pavilion this weekend.
“He’s a great draw. He’s been around a long time. He also plays with the Sensational Hot Rods (a rock group from Thunder Bay) and… he’s been here. He’s 80 years now and he’s still going strong,” said Bill Lafontaine, the Friends of Chippewa Park's past president.
Sunday in the Park offers locals the chance to enjoy free concerts throughout the summer, from June 29 to August 31.
These concerts will feature a variety of local groups performing outdoor entertainment on the backstage every Sunday afternoon from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
“All good groups every week,” said Lafontaine. "So, we get good attendance."
He said the event is important for the community as it gives them a little bit more to go to.
“There’s a summer in the parks (now known as Live on the Waterfront) on Wednesdays at the Marina and everything, but Chippewa is over 100 years old,” said Lafontaine.
“It turned 100 years in 2021, so it’s a natural heritage... and we’d like to see people coming out.”
This fall, Lafontaine added that they also hope to start constructing the carousel building and attaching it to the existing park pavilion so that it can be open year-round.
“Each week we have a 50/50 draw… We sell tickets and then that money goes to do more stuff around the park and everything. Helping with the rides. We’re putting in a dock… later on this summer,” said Lafontaine.
“It just has to be installed. All the parts are here and everything… So, we raise money for that, also for Sandy Beach (and) the change rooms. All this money goes towards that.”
The Real Pretenders are scheduled to take the stage outside the pavilion next weekend.
More information on Sunday in the Park is available on the Friends of Chippewa Park’s website and a listing is also provided near the pavilion’s back door, detailing all the players who will be coming out throughout the summer until the September long weekend.
