By Pete Welch
Concerts in the Park Returns to Ober Park! This summer, the Vashon Park District teams up once again with Vashon Events to present Concerts in the Park – a beloved, family-friendly outdoor music series held at Ober Park every Thursday evening continuing through August. All concerts are free to attend, and take place from 7:00–9:00pm in a setting perfect for picnics, lounging, and dancing. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the lush grassy berms that form Ober Park’s natural amphitheater.
Each evening kicks off with the “New Voices” program, a showcase of emerging solo musicians from Vashon, followed by a 90-minute set from a genre-spanning headliner. From funk and folk to cumbia and country rock, every Thursday night offers something different to get the crowd moving. In keeping with the park’s welcoming atmosphere, please note that dogs, alcohol, and smoking are not permitted.
This year’s lineup Includes:
August 14 – The Sweet Lillies: Dreamy harmonies and genre-crossing “String-Americana” from an inventive quartet. Opening: Mickey Fontaine, experimental bassist and cultural commentator blending cyberpunk and classical vibes.
August 21 – The Cumbieros: A multicultural band fusing Colombian cumbia with ska and psych-rock for high-octane dance beats. Opening: Indigo Alton, a 9-year-old violinist with a bright future in music and performance arts.
August 28 – The Great Divide: Vashon’s legendary country-rock band returns for a long-awaited reunion show featuring pedal steel master Dan Tyack. The Great Divide last performed publicly at Strawberry Festival in 2018. Opening: Neko Rogneby, a dynamic teen artist making her solo debut.
With a mix of seasoned headliners and bold new voices, this year’s Concerts in the Park promise heartfelt stories, vibrant rhythms, and plenty of reasons to get up and groove. Come celebrate summer, music, and community beneath the stars!
Sound equipment and lighting will be provided by Laird Gonter of Bandstand Music, and Martin Feveyear of Feveyear Master Mix will be dialing in the sound.
