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Music in the park: Holiday brings chance for bigger Thursday party

Holiday brings chance for bigger Thursday party

Photo by Janelle Patterson Evy Bryant offers neon rubber bands, chips and food to Mayce Palmer at the Independence Day Celebration put on by the Marietta Welfare League in East Muskingum Park Thursday.

Approximately 200 pairs of hands applauded live music in East Muskingum Park Thursday.

“A lot of people came just to hear Joelle (Cornett) sing (the national anthem),” noted Trisha Miller, president of the Marietta Welfare League as she handed out chips and drinks in the park. “It’s awesome how many people are here.”

The Marietta Welfare League puts on the free music event each Thursday throughout the summer, bringing live bands, soloists and local artists to the park’s gazebo and local residents to the grass with lawn chairs and picnic blankets.

But Thursday brought out special treats alongside the music– hot dogs, chips and water for free, provided by the League.

“This is my third year planning the music in the park for the league, and as I started making calls last winter I noticed July Fourth was on one of our Thursdays,” said Evy Bryant, of Marietta. “I just knew it was a great opportunity to throw a bigger party, and my first thought was Levi Westfall to play for us. I called him and asked if he could do more Americana for a big celebration.”

Westfall said he was honored to oblige, filling the stage with songs he’s played in the area for three years, and adding a few new works to the mix.

“It’s a privilege to be here; we hope you like our new songs as good as the old ones,” said Westfall from the stage.

Meanwhile, children chalked the walkway, threw paper airplanes or played with rubber bands in the grass with their parents.

“My favorite are the rubber bands,” said Mayce Palmer, 6, of Marietta, as he picked between different shapes including a bat and a dinosaur.

The league will be back again next week and through the end of August hosting jazz, piano, oldies, show choir and finally Marietta High School’s marching band to conclude the season.

“It really takes a village to put these on,” said Bryant. “Not just the ladies of the League, but we work with the city on getting permits, we worked with the theater folks who have the Shakespeare play here in the park right now and are using their sound system. And we have music for everyone.”

Janelle Patterson can be reached at jpatterson@mariettatimes.com.

Upcoming

performances:

¯ July 11: St. Mary’s Community Band.

¯ July 18: Fifth Street Quartet.

¯ July 25: Karl Kesselring.

¯ Aug. 1: Madeline Brookover.

¯ Aug. 8: Neon Moon Band.

¯ Aug. 15: Mayfield and Crow.

¯ Aug. 22: Marietta High School Vocal Point.

¯ Aug. 29: Marietta High School Wall of Sound.

Source: Marietta

Welfare League.

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