Summer Concert Series Kicks Off at Ann Van Park

The sounds of summer come to Ann Van Middlesworth Park this week, as the Hillsborough Education Foundation (HEF) kicks off its third annual Music in the Park summer concert series.

 The concerts are scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Thursdays in July. The concerts are free and open to all.

“We’ve been really lucky,” Michelle Bauman, the HEF member who helps organize the shows, said. “Initially, we modeled our program after Lawrenceville’s program and we reached out to bands from there. Now, we’ve had bands reach out to us about performing. Word of mouth has really been able to help us build a robust association of bands.”

This year’s line up opens with the SunDogs on July 7 and includes the Tone Rangers, John Nobile’s Summer Swing Orchestra, and Due South.

In addition to the Thursday dates, there will be a special performance at the township’s annual campout on Aug. 5.

The concert series began three years ago, after several years of contemplating the event. Event organizers then began connecting with the township’s Parks and Recreation Department and contacting bands that performed at the Lawrenceville event.

“Music in the Park was really on our wish list (of events),” Bauman said. “Finally, we decided to put a stake into the ground and go through with it.”

“We’re always trying to figure out different ways to engage our community in learning experiences,” she added. “It happens in different ways, whether it’s our computer classes for seniors or the summer concerts.”

The series has blossomed into its own event, as shown by the number of bands asking to perform. When booking the bands, the HEF looks toward local talent and variety, to ensure there’s a good mix of music.

“There are so many great bands out there that it’s hard for us to pick and choose which we want on the line up,” Bauman said. “We try to rotate them out.”

The shows do not have formal rain dates in case of inclement weather, though Bauman said the HEF would try to re-book bands if a show is canceled. The new show date depends on the band’s availability, however.

The concerts offer a family friendly and free option for those who aren’t thrilled with the cost of other activities.

“There are not a lot of activities that don’t have a cost,” Bauman said. “This is something you can do that has no cost and helps bring back some of these great summertime memories.”

It’s the love of the performance, venue and atmosphere that has people returning each week and each summer, according to Bauman.

“I think people love the idea of getting out of the house and not having to travel,” she said. “It’s kind of a surprise every week to see how the bands are going to interact with the crowd and what they are going to play.

“It’s really an opportunity for people of all ages to come out and enjoy the park and the music.”