Latest news with #ConcertsinthePark
Chicago Tribune
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Park Ridge police chief says National Night Out helps build ‘social capital with the community'
The Jesse White Tumblers and a 'Back to the Future' DeLorean time machine vehicle were among the attractions at National Night Out in Park Ridge. The Aug. 5 gathering at Hodges Park was one of numerous annual NNO events nationwide – also including in nearby Morton Grove and Niles – which is billed as providing an opportunity to bring police and residents together. Park Ridge Police Chief Bob Kampwirth told Pioneer Press that National Night Out is a good way to build a positive relationship between the police department and the community. 'This is an event that we host to connect with the community, especially the younger people, the kids. This is really an event for the kids,' Kampwirth said. 'It is just to get people together and have a nice, fun event and show the kids before they go back to school.' Kampwirth said National Night Out helps children see the police are there to offer assistance or advice. 'If they need help or they have questions, we want to make them feel comfortable. We don't want them to be afraid of us,' Kampwirth said. 'We want to make sure that we're building social capital with the community and let them know that we care about them.' Kampwirth said the community helps to lift police officers' spirits. 'The appreciation that we're seeing from the community and the kids, that is tremendous. If the parents like us, the kids are going to like us because they look up to their parents,' Kampwirth said. The event included a trackless train, children's games and activities with Brian Wismer Entertainment, magician Amazing Adamz, Chicago Bears mascot Staley, face painting and a mobile gaming truck. National Night Out also featured a mechanical bull, a Blues Brothers mobile, food, giveaways and a Park Ridge police officer as a disc jockey. Park Ridge resident Veronica Cross told Pioneer Press she attended the event because it fosters a relationship between children and the police, who are also present at events including 'Concerts in the Park' and 'Taste of Park Ridge.' 'The kids feel pretty comfortable around them, which I think is a pretty important thing so (kids) see them as a good role as opposed to a scary, bad role,' said Cross, who was at the event with her family including her daughter Caroline Cross, 8. Park Ridge Police Department Executive Officer Tom Gadomski told Pioneer Press that a popular National Night Out spot featured Park Ridge bike shop Wheel & Sprocket along with one of the city's bicycle officers, who talked about new city regulations for e-bikes and electric scooters. 'Everybody wants to know about them and the different classifications,' Gadomski said. 'Ask us about it. We'll tell you so it's our way of reaching out and just getting to know the community and just being approachable.' Gadomski mentioned other highlights of the night, including a new inflatable rodeo, Lin-Mar Towing from Morton Grove returning with their biggest trucks to raise the flag and Wayne Messmer, who returned to sing the national anthem, being introduced with the Chicago Bulls theme song and smoke. 'It's basically a giant block party that we're trying to have for the community. National Night Out is celebrated in so many different ways,' Gadomski said. Park Ridge officials state on the city's website that National Night Out in the north suburb is designed to enhance the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Mayor Marty Maloney told Pioneer Press that the event, which has grown every year, offers police officers a chance to interact with the community in a relaxed setting as opposed to a heightened situation such as an emergency or a traffic stop. 'We're at a unique point in the country where some of the relationships between the general public and law enforcement may not be perfect,' Maloney said. 'I think it's really important to give everyone a chance to interact in this type of an environment.' Maloney, who described Park Ridge as a cross between the fictional Mayberry town in the TV sitcom 'The Andy Griffith Show' and the fictional Bedford Falls from the film 'It's a Wonderful Life,' said the city's police officers invest in relationships with the community through events. Park Ridge resident Alissa Pump told Pioneer Press she attended National Night Out for a second year to support the community and the effort to make children feel more comfortable that a police officer can help them in any situation. 'Just the awareness and the positive impact police and public safety has around the community, I think they do a great job,' said Pump, who participated with her family, including her 2-year-old son Johnny.
Hamilton Spectator
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Concerts in the Park continues to run as weekly event thanks to sponsors
The weekly Concerts in the Park series that takes place every Sunday at Keogh Park in Tottenham is possible thanks to two organizers and a group of local sponsors who support the event. Every Sunday, an acoustic performer takes the stage and is followed by a band. There are many familiar faces that turn out for the concerts every week. 'I'm still going with trying to promote some original opening acoustic acts – local acts,' explained organizer Dayne Polny, who owns We Love Sound (WLS), a recording studio with live sound engineering near Tottenham. Polny provides sound and concert production services for live venues through WLS. 'We're trying to get some female artists. There's going to be the same format. A lot of music in the parks events don't support local talent, and I would like to keep that as part of our format. We're running nine weeks this year – four in July and five in August. We try to promote a lot of different genres. We have folk, rock, country, we try to mix it up to make everyone happy.' Dayne, along with Robyn Zillmer-Caruana, are the people who make the event happen. It's a lot of work to make sure the concerts go smoothly and to line up the acts. Having sponsors is a big deal to make sure everything happens. 'It's been tough finding funding,' Polny said. 'With Tottenham Community Week not happening this year, it was really important that we have something locally to do. As far as I know, this is the only music in the park event that is not run by the township. It's just me and Robyn who have decided to take it on. We find local businesses to help sponsor us and pay for the bands. The Town gives us some grant money but it only covers half of our costs so we have to find the money from somewhere else.' Sponsors that stepped up to help the Concerts in the Park series include Trevor's Roof Repairs, McGoey Bros. Insurance, Tottenham Home Hardware, Flex N Gate, Trillium Ford, Tottenham Paint and Paper, Tottenham Legion, Roman Empire Events, and We Love Sound Inc. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Chicago Tribune
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Grand marshal named for Aurora Fourth of July Parade
Hugo Saltijeral of Aurora has been named grand marshal of Aurora's Fourth of July Parade, set for the city's downtown on Friday, July 4. According to a press release from the city, 'Hugo's leadership, generosity and commitment to our community' made him the choice to be grand marshal. Saltijeral currently serves as executive director of Valley Sheltered Workshop, which works to provide meaningful work and community engagement opportunities for adults with disabilities, according to a city of Aurora post on Facebook. He also serves on the Governor's Task Force for Employment and Economic Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, and has worked to help the homeless in Aurora, the post said. Saltijeral also is active at St. Joesph Parish in Aurora, and also has coached youth sports teams in the area, officials said. The city's Fourth of July Parade will step-off at the intersection of Benton Street and Broadway in downtown Aurora at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 4. The reviewing stand will be placed in front of the David L. Pierce Art and History Center at 20 E. Downer Place, city officials said. The Geneva Park District will offer its annual Concerts in the Park series beginning July 9 at River Park along the Fox River in Geneva. The free events will be held on Wednesdays beginning the second week in July, and all ages are invited to attend, organizers said in a press release. The concerts at River Park, 151 N. River Lane, will begin at 7 p.m. and run until 8:30 p.m. Food trucks will be on site, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase, according to the release. The 2025 Concerts in the Park lineup includes the FeelGood Party Band on July 9, Nashville Electric Company on July 16, Mr. Myers on July 23 and the Dennis O'Brien Band on July 30. In the event of inclement weather, the concerts will be canceled, according to the release. For more information about Concerts in the Park, go to or call 630-232-4542. The St. Charles Business Alliance has announced that Unwind Wednesday events will continue this summer with two additional dates. Taking place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16, and Wednesday, Aug. 13, Unwind Wednesday invites individuals to enjoy live music and beverages on First Street Plaza in downtown St. Charles, according to a press release about the events. Patrons 21 years old and older who wish to have an alcoholic beverage during Unwind Wednesday must purchase their drink from one of the five nearby businesses on First Street Plaza. The five local businesses are Alter Brewing + Kitchen, Gia Mia, La Mesa Modern Mexican, La Za'Za' Trattoria and McNally's Irish Pub. To participate, patrons must stop by one of the listed venues and present valid identification to receive a wristband. Once a wristband is received, individuals will then be able to purchase a beverage that they can enjoy on First Street Plaza while listening to Connie Cipher and Michael McInerney on July 16 and Dennis O'Brien on Aug 13. 'The first Unwind Wednesday was a great success,' St. Charles Business Alliance Executive Director Jenna Sawicki said in the release. 'It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying the live music, the atmosphere and supporting our local businesses. We're looking forward to seeing this event continue to grow with these additional dates.' For more information about Unwind Wednesday, go to The Oswegoland Heritage Association will explore the era between the early 1950s and the early 1980s in the Oswego area during 'Conversations with Farm Kids' on Saturday, July 12, at the historic Little White School Museum, 72 Polk St. in Oswego. Admission is $5, through early registration or at the door, with proceeds benefiting the museum, according to a press release about the event. From the 1950s to the early 1980s, the Oswego area underwent a profound change, event organizers said, with a farming area rapidly changing into a suburb. Oswegoland Heritage Association board member Linda Heap Dean will lead the discussion at the event with a panel of a half-dozen former farm kids who will share stories of their roles on the farm, looking for companionship where the nearest neighbor might have been a mile away and balancing schoolwork with chores. Audience comments and questions will be entertained after the panel discussion. For more information on the program or to register in advance, call the Oswegoland Park District at 630-554-1010 or go to the museum registration page, Kim Eversole, a police officer for the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, has been named a 2025 Illinois Juvenile Officers Association Officer of the Year. Eversole is a 14-year veteran of the department and is its community engagement coordinator. She is involved with several efforts to connect youth with nature and law enforcement, a news release from the forest preserve district said. Among her outreach events last year included four free 'Cops and Bobbers' fishing programs held at DuPage County forest preserves. Eversole also attended numerous summer camps and community programs, including National Night Out, which reinforces the idea that law enforcement officers are approachable, the release said. In December, she organized 'Shop With a Cop,' a program that gives kids a holiday shopping trip to pick out items from their wish list while spending meaningful time with an officer. Eversole is also a field training officer and responds to calls as a Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigations Team drone operator in addition to her regular patrol duties. She previously led the department's volunteer Trail Watch program.
Hamilton Spectator
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Here's 2025 lineup for Burlington's twice-a-week Concerts in the Park series
Burlington's Concerts in the Park music series returns to Central Park twice a week throughout the summer. Twenty-two concerts are scheduled, Wednesday and Sunday evenings throughout the rest of June, July and August. All concerts are scheduled to start at 7 p.m. and run to 8:30 p.m. If a performance is cancelled due to weather, a message will be posted at 905-632-9590 . The schedule is intended to showcase a diverse collection of ensembles and genres that include concert bands, big bands, brass bands, jazz, Dixieland, Motown/soul/R&B, 1950's/'60's rock, and folk bands. Residents are invited to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the free performances outside at the Central Park Bandshell ( 2311 New St. ), next door to Burlington Public Library's Central Branch. This year's series is sponsored by Access Storage. City staff said the Concerts in the Park series has been held each summer for more than 40 years, and having a sponsor is a regular occurrence that allows for 'high-quality programs with reduced costs to taxpayers.' The cost of the series and the value of Access Storage's sponsorship were not provided by the city or company by deadline.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tioga County announces Concerts in the Park schedule
TIOGA COUNTY, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Music lovers can fill their Wednesdays with the sweet sounds of summer as Tioga County brings back its seasonal concert series. Tioga Arts Council announced the lineup for the 2025 Concerts in the Park series on Thursday. Now in its 37th year, the concerts are presented on Wednesday nights by local and regional musicians at Hickories Park in Owego. The concerts take place from 7 to 9 p.m., with the exception of the July 2 show, which will take place from 7:30 to 9:30 and will be followed by fireworks. The concert schedule is as follows: The Kirkby Band – July 2 Latimer Lee – July 9 Peaches & Crime – July 16 Krooked Knuckles – July 23 The Neo Politans – July 30 Triple Cities Soul Machine – August 6 All of the concerts and free and open to all who wish to attend. In the event of inclement weather, all concerts will move to the Owego Elks Lodge at 223 Front Street in Owego. Eucharistic Procession makes way through Binghamton Celebrate Pride Month with an evening of laughter at Schorr Family Firehouse Stage Roosevelt reflects on the legacy of Principal Dave Chilson Mercy House prepares for $2.1 million expansion Upstate Democrats oppose cow limit for dairy farms Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
