From CITY OF BOWLING GREEN & BOWLING GREEN AREA COMMUNITY BANDS
The Parks & Recreation Department has announced the return of its summer tradition, “Concerts in the Park,” now with an enhanced atmosphere for all ages.
The series will take place on select Sunday evenings in June and July, with performances beginning at 7 p.m. In addition to the live music, attendees can enjoy an expanded recreational area featuring interactive activities. Guests are invited to take part in games such as cornhole, box hockey, giant Jenga, and more.
To further enhance the experience, a variety of food trucks will be on-site, offering a selection of summer snacks and desserts. Concerts will be held at the Needle Hall Stage in City Park, weather permitting. In the event of inclement weather, performances and activities will move indoors to the Veterans Building atrium.
The Bowling Green Area Community Bands will kick-off the 2026 concert series on Sunday, June 7, and invites everyone to an evening of music celebrating the community and America’s 250th birthday.
The band will begin its concert with Catherine Lewis leading members through “Star Spangled Banner,” written by Francis Scott Key and John Strafford Smith. This song was originally a poem written down by Key in 1814 after witnessing the American flag continue to fly after a Baltimore Fort was bombarded by the British during the War of 1812.
Next, the band will present “Who’s Who in Navy Blue” by John Phillip Sousa, who served in the Navy in World War I and wrote the song in 1920. He composed it in dedication to the famous Native American Tecumseh, whose statue stands outside of Bancroft Hall at the Naval Academy.
The band will then play “Shenandoah,” composed by Frank Ticheli in 1999. This song was inspired by the Shenandoah River and Shenandoah Valley, located in Virginia. Although the origins of the name and song remain obscure, it is believed to be a story based on an early settler’s love for a Native American woman. The song evokes the image of beauty and freedom found in the natural wonders of the river.
Bruce Corrigan will next conduct the band through “Bugler’s Holiday” by Leroy Anderson, which was composed in 1954. Originally written for three trumpets, this is one of his most well-known pieces. This version will feature the entire trumpet section of the Bowling Green Community Band. Next, the band will play “Appalachian Journey” by Brant Karrick. Inspired by one of America’s first frontiers and oldest mountain ranges, this song was written with traditional folksongs in mind.
Next, BiG Band BG will take the stage and play the 1946 rhythm and blues song “Route 66,” written by Bobby Troup and arranged by Mike Sweeney. The band will then play the upbeat tune “The Flix Machine.” It was composed by Randy Newman and arranged by Paul Martha for the 1998 Disney/Pixar film “A Bug’s Life.” The band’s last song selection will be “Hit the Bricks,” composed by Gordon Goodwin, published in 2010 to bring Big Phat Band style music to youth bands.
The community band will continue its performance with the traditional 1848 Shaker song “Simple Gifts” by Joseph Brackett and arranged by Noah D. Taylor. Then, it will play the classic “Over the Rainbow,” with words by E.Y. Harburg, music by Harold Arlen, arranged by Warren Barker, and featuring vocal soloist Liz Green.
The band will next play “America the Beautiful,” written by Samuel Augustus Ward and arranged by Carmen Dragon and featuring Bowling Green High School vocal soloist Cole Boswell. The final song performed will be the classic patriotic march “Stars and Stripes,” composed by John Phillip Sousa in 1896.
Jerry Anderson will be the guest announcer for this community event. Everyone is invited to come celebrate America’s 250th, bring a lawn chair and blanket, and enjoy a musical evening with the bands.
Concerts in the Park upcoming schedule:
- June 7
- Music: Bowling Green Area Community Bands
- Food Truck: LeeAna’s BanAnas, LLC
- Sponsors: Glass City Federal Credit Union, Bowling Green Community Foundation, Ohio Logistics, and Lanny Milligan Donor Directed Pooled Fund of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation
- June 14
- Music: Kerry Patrick Clark
- Food Truck: First Sip Coffee
- Sponsors: Glass City Federal Credit Union, Bowling Green Community Foundation, Ohio Logistics, and Lanny Milligan Donor Directed Pooled Fund of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation
- Other accompanying event: Blooming Green – Front Porch Pot Challenge, 5 – 8 p.m.
- June 21
- Music: Jeff Tucker Band
- Food Truck: BD’s Lemonade King
- Sponsors: Glass City Federal Credit Union, Bowling Green Community Foundation, Ohio Logistics, and Lanny Milligan Donor Directed Pooled Fund of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation
- Other accompanying event: Latin Dance in the Park, Veterans Building, 4 – 6 p.m.
- June 28
- Music: Swingmania
- Food Truck: Snowy Station
- Sponsors: Glass City Federal Credit Union, Bowling Green Community Foundation, Ohio Logistics, and Lanny Milligan Donor Directed Pooled Fund of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation
- July 5
- No concert scheduled due to Independence Day weekend.
- July 12
- Music: Amp Wagon
- Food Truck: TBD – interested parties use contact information below
- Sponsors: Glass City Federal Credit Union, Bowling Green Community Foundation, Ohio Logistics, and Lanny Milligan Donor Directed Pooled Fund of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation
- July 19
- Music: Ginger & The Snaps
- Food Truck: TBD – interested parties use contact information below
- Sponsors: Glass City Federal Credit Union, Bowling Green Community Foundation, Ohio Logistics, and Lanny Milligan Donor Directed Pooled Fund of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation
Local businesses may get involved as bronze level event sponsors with a monetary commitment of $250. This includes opportunities for promotions at one event. The date will be selected after discussion with the Parks & Recreation Department.
For questions or more information, contact Ivan at 419-354-6223.
