Music in the City Park History
Music in the Park originated during the summer of 1996. Local families & groups donated their time and talents each Wednesday evening throughout the summer months. The first couple years the entertainment wasn’t regular, but it eventually grew to be every Wednesday evening in June and July. Through the years, interest has grown and we now enjoy entertainment till mid-August.
Music in the Park continued each summer until 2009, the year of the flood. The historic 1931 City Park Bandshell, damaged from flooding events in 2009 and 2011, was declared structurally unsafe and music in park relocated to the courthouse lawn for several years. In late summer, 2014, work began to move the City Park Bandshell to a slightly new location in the park. It is now placed on a nonconcrete foundation. The Bandshell withstood the moving process with very little additional structural damage. The programs returned to the bandshell in July 2015. Fully planning on returning to the bandshell the summer of 2016, the flood protection construction project began at the entrance of City Park that spring. Programs returned to the City Park Bandshell fully the summer of 2017!
The summer of 2020, we were faced with a new dilemma, COVID-19 epidemic. It was a time of masks, social distancing and limited activities. There was no longer a “Normal”. The year began like a drive-in theatre! It worked! The show must go on… and they did. By mid-June we were back in City Park where everyone was respectful and social distanced successfully.
Celebrating 25 years of Music in the Park!
It is very exciting to celebrate 25 years of Music in the Park this summer! We plan to recognize special guests throughout the summer. A wide variety of entertainment fills the schedule. The opening night is Wednesday, June 2 @ 7:15 pm with the Valley Troubadours. We are honored to have them with us this year and look forward to welcoming them to the bandshell stage. Starting about 7 pm, we will be celebrating with anniversary cake for everyone so come early!
A variety of entertainment is in store for everyone! Come out and enjoy the beauty and ambiance of City Park. Bring your lawn chair/blanket/jacket. Each week a free will offering is taken to help support the continued work on the bandshell and its programs. In case of inclement weather, the programs will be moved to the VCSU Foss Music Hall. Listen to KOVC/NewsDakota or check Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for any updated information.
Special thanks to this year’s sponsors: Bridges Arts Council, NewsDakota, Myron Sommerfeld family, CVB, Cass County Electric, North Dakota Council on the Arts and the Valley City Parks & Recreation.
Hope to see you all there!
