As summer rolls around, so does the annual Kewanee Chamber of Commerce Concert in the Park Series. This year, the music and food will kick off Thursday, June 22 at Veterans Park.
Back again for the first concert will be a crowd favorite, the Jim Markum Swing Band.
“They’re my every year go-to band,” said Mark Mikenas, executive director of the KCOC. “I can depend on him and he’s a good opener.”
Mikenas knows a few things about local bands and what Kewanee residents like. This is his 27th year putting on the concert in the park series. He started the tradition just a year after he joined the Chamber as its director in 1996. Since that time, 77 different bands have performed in the park to the delight of Kewanee residents.
On June 29, the Kewanee Community Band, “Jazz on the Side” will take the stage, followed by The Aristocrats, Troy Rangel & Friends, West MacQueen Street Band, Lyle Beaver & the Brass Notes, the KHS Marching Boilermakers & Guests, the Glory Days Garage Band, River City 6 and lastly, a newcomer to the concert series this year, Crooked Cactus Band (AKA Los Nopales Chuecos).
As in years past, food will be offered and the selection has come a long way since the first offerings, Mikenas said. It started as little more than a bake sale offered by the KHS Pom Pon girls and snowballed from there. Other organizations stepped in to offer hot dogs and sandwiches.
This summer, the KHS FFA will sell hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and drinks. As they do every year, Petersen Health Care, a long-time sponsor of the event, will provide free dessert to all attendees.
Mikenas said his budget for the series is $6,000 to $7,000 and since the concerts are free, he couldn’t offer the series in the park without the support of businesses such as Petersens, the State Bank of Toulon, Lincoln School Veterinary Clinic and Golnick-Schueneman Funeral Home.
Food will be served every Thursday starting at 5 p.m. with the concert starting at 6:30 p.m. Attendees are reminded to bring something to sit on and their toe-tapping feet.
June 22: Jim Markum Swing Band
June 29: Kewanee Community Band, “Jazz on the Side”
July 6: The Aristocrats
July 13: Troy Rangel & Friends
July 20: West MacQueen Street Band
July 27: Lyle Beaver & the Brass Notes
Aug. 3: KHS Marching Boilermakers & Guests
Aug. 10: Glory Days Garage Band
Aug. 17: River City 6
Aug. 24: Crooked Cactus Band (AKA Los Nopales Chuecos)
