Clearwater’s first full Music in the Park season ended on a high note last week with the bluegrass band Singleton Street entertaining the crowds with a toe-tapping concert. The event was created as a way for local businesses to give back to the community as well as getting the community together outside. 

Clearwater had hosted Music in the Park concerts throughout the summer in the past, however they were discontinued a number of years ago. With interest in bringing back the event rising, the Clear Valley Business Connection (CVBC) group took over the details and held three concerts last summer to gauge the community’s interest.

The response turned out to be overwhelmingly positive, with members of the community embracing the chance to come out and enjoy live music with their family, friends, and neighbors. Because of this, the concert series was planned for a full summer season this year, with Alyx Johnson and Chelsie Lortz taking over the planning as co-organizers.

“Feedback on the concerts has been great,” said Johnson. “People have commented how awesome it is to have them here so they don’t have to go into St. Cloud.”

Musicians for the events were found through referrals and a message on Facebook stating they were looking for bands to play throughout the summer. The response was amazing. 

“There are a lot of talented people around the area,” said Johnson. “The bands have all been great. We’ve had a good variety of music, with country appearing to be number one for getting people to come out.”

Different genres of music were featured at each concert, including country, folk, retro, bluegrass, and classic rock. All of the bands and musicians have been local.

The family friendly events have all been held at Eldorado Park in Clearwater.

“You can’t beat the location,” said Johnson. “It’s easy access with lots of parking, a shelter for the bands to set up in, and a playground for younger kids who might have a hard time sitting still for a couple of hours.”

She noted people loved the food trucks that were at the concerts as well, although there was an issue with one of the venders not showing up for the first two events, leaving organizers with no food available for attendees.

“The vender had committed to the entire first month,” said Johnson. “However they were a no-show at the first concert and called to cancel just an hour before the second concert, leaving us with no food trucks. It was disappointing.”

Two ‘movies in the park’ events were planned amongst the concerts as well, however, due to weather conditions only one was able to actually be held. 

“It’s all been a learning experience,” said Johnson. “The movie ended up going late into the evening because we had to wait for it to get dark enough to see it. Next year we’re looking at holding them in the fall instead.”

Organizers asked for