It’s hard to beat an outdoor concert in summertime – unless, it’s a free outdoor concert. And the Naperville Park District has offerings aplenty.
Start out with some sounds close to home.
“Concerts In Your Park is a program that we do throughout the community on Sunday evenings in June and July where we select different parks that are geographically spread across the community,” explained Brad Wilson, Director of Recreation at the Naperville Park District.
Both local and regional bands come out to perform on a mobile stage, with different types of music featured all summer long, for some family friendly fun.
“There’s typically playgrounds or just open area for the kids to be able to play, so it’s just a really a wonderful opportunity for the families to come out to the park, enjoy an evening outside and hear some great music,” says Wilson.
If you want a more scenic venue, the Riverwalk’s the place to be, for the Rolling on the River concerts.
“It takes place on Fridays at the Pavilion and that’s located near the Dandelion Fountain on the Riverwalk,” says Wilson. “It runs from 7 to 9 p.m. on Fridays throughout the course of the summer, and we have a number of local artists that come out, provide free concerts to those who are on the Riverwalk.”
And if you have some free time during the week – and some restless little ones at home – take them out for some lunchtime fun on Tuesdays.
“Children’s Lunch Hour entertainment is a program that we’ve had at the park district for a number of years,” explains Wilson. “It takes place each week, near the Grand Pavilion on the Riverwalk or at Frontier Sports Complex. It’s a 45-minute children’s show where we have a number of different entertainers come out and provide a great interactive show for families and for young kids.”
Then Tuesday evening, stroll over to Rotary Hill and end your night on a high note.
“We have carilloneurs from around the world who will come and play the Millennium Carillon for anyone to be able to enjoy,” shares Wilson.
All fun events in park settings where you can bring out a blanket and a picnic and listen to some great performances. But a new addition this year means you can choose to dine out while indulging in a show.
“We have also acoustical nights that have been introduced at the Riverwalk Café this year from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturdays,” says Wilson. “In June and July and the first weekend of August, where we’ll actually have acoustical music on the patio at the Riverwalk Café.”
An endless supply of summer music…without having to drum up any cash.
And for more information about any of the concerts mentioned, just check out the park district’s website: http://www.napervilleparks.org/
Naperville News 17’s Kim Pirc reports.
