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Arts & Entertainment

Fenton Concerts in the Park Series Heating Up

Fenton's Concerts in the Park going strong despite threatening weather and will continue all summer long.

Fenton’s has been plagued with questionable to bad weather this summer. The series began strong on June 2 with fair weather despite a rocky spring.The Thursdays that followed left organizers wondering what to expect for the 7 to 8:30 p.m. time slot.  

Country group “Wildfire” had to warm crowds despite a deep chill in the air on June 9.  The next two weeks the bands “The Delivery Boys” and “Mustard’s Retreat” took a gamble on the 50 percent chance of rain predictions and remained outdoors. Both managed to narrowly escape rain during their performance times and played under intermittently dark skies. 

David Tamulevich, of Mustard’s Retreat,” stated, “We’d rather play outside and the crowds seem to prefer it, so we took a gamble.” 

Despite threatening skies and cool temperatures, crowd counts remained around 100 to 150 people for most of June.

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The streak of bad luck seems to have broken with favorites, “Tuxedo Junction” on June 30. Clear, sunny skies and 77 degree weather gave the concert crowd a break and brought in more than 300 audience members to the . 

All signs point to a worry-free July, with clear skies for the July 7 performance of “Cats in the Fiddler”.

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“We always hope to have good weather for the Concerts in the Park series and usually have good luck,” said Southern Lakes Parks & Recreation Director Vincent Paris. “If the weather just doesn’t cooperate, the Fenton Community & Cultural Center will be ready for crowds.”

The decision to move indoors or remain outdoors is made by myself, the concert coordinator, in cooperation with the feature performers. 

There are many factors to consider – we monitor the weather reports, consider the crowd’s preferences, and determine if the bands’ equipment will be safe from damage by the elements.

The call is made by 5 p.m., to allow for set-up at the Fenton Community & Cultural Center along with bands’ set up. On questionable days, the decision is often announced via Fenton Patch’s Facebook page and if the concert is moved indoors and signs are posted in the park.

The Concerts in the Park continue through August 25th, each Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Fenton Millpond Gazebo. Restrooms are available at and are typically opened at 6:40 p.m., 20 minutes prior to the concert start. Concert schedules are distributed at each concert for both the Fenton and Linden series. The concerts are sponsored by the City of Fenton Downtown Development Authority, Southern Lakes Parks & Recreation, and the Fenton Community & Cultural Center.

The Concerts in the Park will be enhanced by the upcoming Fenton Farmers Market starting July 14 and continuing through September 29 on Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. in the parking lot adjacent to the Fenton Community & Cultural Center. 

The markets now accept EBT and Bridge Cards and will have market wagons available. Market Master, Stephanie McMunigal explained the market wagons saying “Shoppers can rent a produce wagon by giving a donation to the market and use the wagons to carry their purchased produce through the market and to their vehicles.  They simply return the wagon when they are done shopping.” 

For more information regarding the Fenton Farmers Markets visit:  http://www.slpr.net/Events.aspx, become of fan of the Fenton Farmers Market on Facebook, or call Southern Lakes Parks & Recreation at 714-2011.

In addition, August 11 will bring the “”, a classic car show held in conjunction with the Concert in the Park and the Fenton Farmers Market. Leroy Street will be closed to through traffic from 5  to 9 p.m. on August 11. The nearby parking lots will also be reserved for classic car parking only. Organizers expect approximately 3,000 people to attend the event if the weather cooperates. 

For more information regarding the Back to the Bricks event, visit: http://www.backtothebricks.org/events/TuneUpParty.htm

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