WESTLOCK – Backyards and a school park will be filled with the sounds of music this coming weekend when Music In the Park makes its debut.
The Aug. 14 celebration of music, organized by the newly-formed Town of Westlock Community Events Committee, will be held at several locations around town including under the gazebo at St. Mary School Park, for evening performances and in several backyards starting at 2 p.m.
“We had ideas of what we wanted to do in the town and we said why don’t we start with Music In the Park,” said committee director Tina Wold. “We’re just thrilled and the backyard performers are thrilled to be back on stage after two years (due to the pandemic).”
Local artists from the Town of Westlock, Barrhead, Jarvie, Westlock County, Pickardville and Edmonton will perform musical pieces that involve both vocal and instrumental numbers and will entertain crowds with a variety of genres including jazz, folk, pop, and contemporary songs, among others.
Music In the Park kicks off at 2 p.m. with Sweet Harmony Duo and True North Jazz — an eight-to-10-piece ensemble will follow at 3 p.m. Next up will be Francis Kavanagh and Lyle Moulton at 4 p.m., with Ian O’Brien finishing off the afternoon performances at 5 p.m.
“It starts off with an afternoon of backyard entertainers. There are four backyard musicians who are going to be performing hourly and then we have the two major bands at St. Mary’s Park,” said Wold.
Following the afternoon performances, the event will finish with evening entertainment at St. Mary’s School park and will welcome two musical acts, starting at 7 p.m. with the Joe Ireland band, lead by Francis Kavanagh and local band Wiesinger.
This will be the second event organized by the new community events committee coming after Canada Day celebrations. With the committee working year-round more events are expected.
“It’s a committee of volunteers in the community and they’ve taken on the role of organizing and putting on the events,” said community services director Gerry Murphy.
“There’ll be winter events as well. There’s the Light Up parade that they’ll be doing. They’ve been doing a terrific job. They’re really engaged and active community members.”
The event will be held rain or shine and is expected to draw many people of all ages, noted Wold, adding that visitors will be required to bring their own lawn chair. While the concerts and backyard performances are free, donations will be accepted and welcomed.
“We are hoping guitar cases are left open, or fiddle cases are left open or just something that the performer will provide,” explained Wold. “At St. Mary’s we’re hoping to have a couple of buckets for donations. It’s not a necessity but it always helps for all areas and costs.”
The Westlock Army Cadets will be providing light refreshments and snacks at the evening performances only, which runs from 7 to 8:15 p.m. and 8:30 to 9:45 p.m.
“We would love to see it as an annual event to start off with,” said Wold. “Next year, there’s a theme we’re working on and it’s ‘come home’ as we’d love to see people who have grown up in this town come back and perform.”
