Chamber Plans May Concert Series in Park

The Olney Chamber of Commerce is planning a new live music series at Tom Griffin Park next month in a bid to bring families together for free community entertainment during the spring and summer.

Chamber director Kimberly Smith outlined the proposal during the Olney City Council meeting on March 23, saying the Chamber hopes to host concerts each Saturday during the first four weekends of May.

The event, called “Music in May,” is scheduled for May 2, 9, 16, and 23 from 6–9 p.m. at the park pavilion.

“We are partnering up with a local resident, Danny Morgan,” Mrs. Smith told the Council. “He has offered to pay the musical performers to come out.”

Four bands are currently scheduled to perform: Michael Lum, Attempting Disaster, Playing Possum, and Gabe Chop.

The concerts will feature a mix of classic rock and country music, and Mrs. Smith said each band has agreed to include at least one worship or gospel song in its set.

The Chamber is also arranging for several food truck vendors to attend the events, including Tom’s Kettle Corn, Cavalry Cones, and Jenna Jo’s. Additional vendors may also be invited.

Mrs. Smith said the Chamber’s goal is to expand the roster of activities that local residents can attend together beyond Olney in America, Trunk or Treat, and other Chamber-sponsored events.

“The Chamber has been looking for different ways that we can bring the community together, provide community events that you can bring the whole family to,” she said.

The event is family- friendly and open to all ages, she said.

Portable restrooms will be provided with sponsorship support from Air Tractor, and city officials discussed coordinating trash collection and possible police presence during the concerts.

“I like the idea,” Mayor Rue Rogers said. “I like what the chamber’s trying to do to facilitate different things and improve quality of life and get people out and about.”

No formal council action was required for the event, but city officials indicated they would coordinate with the Chamber on logistics as planning continues.

The Chamber plans to begin marketing the concerts in April, Mrs. Smith said.