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Thursday, 28 May 2009 |
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 Attendees of the 2008 “Party in the Parkway” jam to the sounds of rock ’n’ roll at Heritage Park. By KRISTA HAYES
Staff Writer
In bringing back a favorite summertime tradition, Wapakoneta Area Chamber of Commerce is set to attract local residents Friday with the sounds of rock ’n’ roll as it prepares to kick off its 3rd annual “Party in the Parkway” event.
Throughout the summer, five free concerts are scheduled with the first to be held this Friday and others to take place June 12 and 26, July 24 and Aug. 14.
“This is the chamber’s third official year for holding ‘Party in the Parkway,’ whose idea all started about four years ago when we sponsored a couple of events at Heritage Park with the idea of holding summer concerts sort of evolving from there,” chamber Executive Director Dan Graf said. “Really the sponsors are what helps make it possible to fund the bands each year and we’re very grateful for their support.”
Sponsoring the five “Party in the Parkway” concerts for the summer of 2009 in conjunction with the chamber are Fifth Third Bank, G.A. Wintzer & Son, Superior Federal Credit Union, Telephone Service Co., Waste Management, Stolly Insurance Group, Holiday Inn Express, the Wapakoneta Daily News, Cornell & Finkelmeier Insurance and the Wapakoneta Eagles.
Each concert is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. downtown in the parkway to Heritage Park, featuring bands with all area members.
“Staples” is scheduled to perform this Friday as well as July 24, with “The Game” scheduled to play June 26 and “Backseat Driver” on Aug. 14. On June 12, instead of a live concert, music will be provided by Wapakoneta disc jockey Bill Brading.
A beverage stand is to be available to all attendees with local service clubs receiving a percentage of the proceeds to put toward their organization’s numerous programs.
“Each club in the community was invited to submit their names for a lottery drawing in which we pulled names back in March selecting them to host one event or another,” Graf said. “The winning organizations were the Wapakoneta Rotary Club, The Wapakoneta Lion’s Club, Relay for Life, the Downtown Wapakoneta Partnership and Sister Cities.”
With all the excitement and buzz going around about “Party in the Parkway” returning to Wapakoneta, Graf said he expecting the events to attract even bigger crowds this year.
“For it’s first year we really hit a home run,” Graf said. “The crowds stayed steady, even though they might have tapered off a bit because of the weather, but when the weather was good we had a lot of people show up to listen to the music. I’ve even seen a few graduating classes, bachelorette and birthday parties hold part of their celebrations at ‘Party in the Parkway.’
“Overall, the social event just really provides an opportunity for residents to come out downtown to eat, listen to music and after the concert visit clubs in the area or go to the theatre with their friends,” he said. “Since it’s free, they can pop in and out while enjoying camaraderie with other attendees at an event that provides for social gathering.”
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Last Updated ( Friday, 29 May 2009 )
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