Last year, the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury’s leisure services booked Eagles tribute band New Kid in Town to play for the Music in the Park series.
The outdoor concert series, held on the west lawn of the BWG Public Library, is sponsored by Vaughan Chrysler and invites residents to bring their lawn chairs and blankets, and come out for an evening of free music.
Unfortunately, New Kid in Town was rained out in 2018.
“So many people were interested,” said Bethany Kuboniwa, the town's leisure events and marketing co-ordinator. They kept calling, asking if the band would be rescheduled.
So leisure services invited New Kid in Town back to open this year’s Music in the Park series on Wednesday night, hoping for better weather.
It was a perfect evening.
“We lucked out for Canada Day and today,” said Kuboniwa, as families started to arrive for the concert.
In addition to the live music, the evening offered outdoor games, and snacks from La Mexicanada and The Munchies – the latter, 13-year-old Emily Dahlgren’s fundraising concession stand. Dahlgren received the Junior Citizen of the Year Award from the town on Canada Day, in recognition of her social enterprise, which donates the proceeds to the Helping Hand Food Bank.
Residents could also pick up information on the town’s leisure programs and enter the new rubber duckie contest – purchasing rubber ducks from lifeguards and swim staff for a chance to win great prizes donated by community businesses, and raise money for drowning prevention initiatives.
“You get these cute little duckies and a chance to win,” said Sabrina Gregorio.
The evening was the first in a series of concerts. Music in the Park will take place every Wednesday evening in July outside the library, from 7-9 p.m.
On July 10, the band will be Elevation, a salute to U2; July 17, local band Ninth Line will rock on – “We always support the local connection,” said Kuboniwa; and on July 24, Celtic rock group Mudmen will perform.
Kuboniwa noted the goal is to offer “a mixture of musical genres” that will attract a range of listeners. “You want it to be something people are familiar with, and want to come out for,” she said.
The crowds continued to arrive as New Kid took to the stage – singing along with their favourite Eagles songs, enjoying a perfect summer evening and Music in the Park.
