List includes summer concerts in Clay, Ira & on Harsens Island
By Barb Pert Templeton
As warmer temperatures finally arrive perhaps nothing screams that welcome change more than the free music in the park events hosted in the downriver area.
Communities are hosting live music events beginning next week on Thursday, June 6 in Algonac followed by similar events in Clay and Ira townships and on Harsens Island throughout the summer.
Concerts in Algonac will be held on Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at Riverfront Park with free admission and parking through July11, with no concert on July 4. The series will continue at Clay Township Park, also on Thursdays, from July 18 through Aug. 15.
The schedule for Ira Township Music in the Park 2024 includes four dates in June, July and August.
The concerts are being Sponsored by the Clay Township DDA, the Algonac/Clay Community Fund and the Community Foundation of St. Clair County. There are also individual sponsors for each band on the Music in the Park 2024 schedule.
The rainout location for Algonac is the Algonac Fire Hall and for Clay rain dates things will move the Algonac High School lecture hall. A decision on inclement weather will be made by 5:30 p.m. on the day of each event.
Concerts will begin in Ira Township on Friday, June 14 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Ira Township Park followed by a July 19 date and two dates in August, the 16th and the 30th. Each of the four dates boasts and individual sponsor and those attending are asked to enter the park from Shortcut Road east of Meldrum Road.
Harsens Island is also getting in on the free music in the park events this summer with individual dates including two on Fridays, June 21 and Friday July 26, both from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Plus concerts on Saturday, August 3 from 4 to 6 p.m. and Saturday, September, 14 from 6 to 8 p.m.
All the shows will be at Brown’s Field on the island and the rainout location is the Harsen’s Island Fire Hall.
To view a list of individual bands and sponsors see the photos attached here.
All of the concerts are planned and put together by Ira Township Recreation Director Cindy Babisz. Blue Water Healthy Living caught up with her to hear all about this year’s lineup.
Algonac/Clay Township Musci in the Park 2024 will include 10 dates, starting in Algonac in June and concluding in Clay Township in August.
Blue Water Healthy Living: How long has music in the park been a summer staple in Algonac, Clay & Ira townships and on Harsens Island?
Recreation Director Cindy Babisz: Downriver Recreation started Concerts in the Park in Algonac in the early 90’s. In 2013 Algonac and Clay partnered to create the Algonac Clay Music in the Park Series. Music in the Park Island Style on Harsens Island started in 2017. Ira Township Music in the Park started in 2020.
BWHL: How do you go about getting bands to sign up to perform? Or do you get the sponsors first?
Babisz: Dates are set first. We schedule Thursdays in Algonac and Clay, starting in June and avoiding the week of the Pickerel Tournament. We schedule Friday evenings once a month in Ira, June through Labor Day Weekend; Harsens Island is Friday evening in June and July, Field Day Saturday in August and Annual Harsens Island St Clair Flats Association BBQ in September. Bands are selected next. We try to rotate popular bands and blend in new bands at all locations. Bands approach us as early as October of the previous year. After the schedules and bands are confirmed, we approach Sponsors. Typically, our sponsors will “choose” their band.
BWHL: Are there specific criteria for the bands to meet to be chosen to perform locally?
Any music styles off limits like maybe rap or heavy metal?
Babisz: We like a variety of all genres. Nudity, profanity or violence are not allowed.
Harsens Island first started hosting music in the park events in 2017 and this year they will host four events from June to September.
BWHL: Do you attempt to line-up the same groups year after year, based on their popularity? Babisz: We definitely have local favorites. However, there is always new talent out there and we like to mix it up. We generous support from our sponsors, especially title sponsors, we are able to bring in “bigger” bands.
BWHL: What’s new in this year’s line-up?
Babisz: We have a new Country Star Jessey Adams opening the Algonac dates. Blue Skye and Under Pressure are new for the island. The Harsens Island performances are a little earlier for mosquitos and we have some new concessions at some locations.
BWHL: Is music in the park a popular night out for local families? Are there lots of kids in attendance?
Babisz: Yes. This is my favorite part of these event. Seeing all of the friends and families and children enjoying the music, the park and the nice weather!
BWHL: Are there concessions? Can people bring along their own food and beverages? Alcohol?
Babisz: For concessions Same Old Guys and Algonac Officials line up food trucks at Riverfront Park. Clay Township has concessions available and Mayles Hot Dogs A La Carte will be at a few Ira dates. People are allowed to bring their own picnic food and beverages to the parks.
BWHL: What’s your favorite part of organizing all these events for the local communities?
Babisz: The joy of it all. It is such a nice, happy event. Music and the pleasant locations in the parks really bring people together. It is our celebration of warm weather and relaxation. We are very thankful to all of our Sponsors that provide support and keep this free for the residents and families.
