Inaugural July 4 Concert Kicks Off Summer Concert Series At THPRD

From Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District: Country singer Britnee Kellogg will headline the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District’s first-ever Independence Day celebration when she performs a free concert from 11 am to 1 pm at Veterans Memorial Park.

The show – in partnership with American Legion Post 124 – will kick off a THPRD summer concert season that features five musical performances plus one theatrical production. All of them will be free.

This will be the 16th consecutive year the park district has staged free summer entertainment for the public, but it will mark the first time a concert has been performed on the 4th of July. Veterans Memorial Park is at the intersection of Watson and Washington Avenues and 7th Street near downtown Beaverton.

“We were excited when Post 124 approached us with the idea of a 4th of July concert at Veterans Memorial Park,” said Doug Menke, THPRD general manager. “It fits beautifully with our mission to bring our community together, and putting on a free concert at this park on the nation’s birthday is extra meaningful. Everyone is welcome.”

Kellogg, a Vancouver native, was on American Idol multiple times and has opened concerts for many country stars including Martina McBride. She’ll perform familiar tunes and her own original compositions. THPRD’s full summer concert and theater docket:

July 7, 6-8:30 pm, Original Practice Shakespeare Theater at THPRD’s Elsie Stuhr Center, 5550 SW Hall Blvd., Beaverton: “Romeo and Juliet” will be performed.

July 12, 6-8 pm, ¡Chiringa! at Arnold Park, 4155 SW 182nd Avenue, Aloha: Based in Bend, Chiringa is a high-energy dance party band. Their music is described as “rockified tropical dance” (Latin music infused with funk and rock).

July 19, 6-8 pm, Petty Fever at Greenway Park, between Hall and Scholls Ferry, Beaverton: Two-time recipient of the Los Angeles Music Awards “Tribute Band of the Year,” lead singer Frank Murray and group play the sounds of the late rocker Tom Petty.

Aug. 9, 6-8 pm, Seymour Baker Band at Cedar Mill Park, 10385 NW Cornell Road, Portland: This band of veteran musicians plays songs from the last 60 years with a wide range of styles, including blues, Americana, rock, country and gospel.

Aug. 23, 6-8 pm, My Happy Pill at Raleigh Park, 3500 SW 78th Avenue, Portland: With a song list spanning from the ‘70s to today, this dance band offers a high-energy mix of funk, pop, rock, rhythm and blues, soul and more.

In addition to concerts and theater, THPRD has a wide variety of summer events planned, most of them free. Visit www.thprd.org/summer-celebrations for details.

Photo courtesy of THPRD