McGraft Park Summer Concert Series continues decades-old tradition in 2023

March 21, 2023

MUSKEGON, MI (March 21, 2023) - On Tuesdays and some Thursdays in the summer months in the City of Muskegon, grabbing lawn chairs, picnic baskets and heading to McGraft Park for a free concert is a tradition for generations.

That City of Muskegon tradition continues this summer with the announcement of seven performances that make up the 2023 McGraft Park Summer Concert Series. The 7 p.m. concerts begin July 11 and go for consecutive weeks until Aug. 22 at the McGraft Park band shell, 2204 Wickham in the city's Glenside Neighborhood.

The free concert series is sponsored by the McGraft Park Trust Fund and others. The series is produced by the City of Muskegon's Park and Recreation Department.

McGraft Park concerts began shortly after the McGraft Park Bandshell was constructed in 1962. They began as Big Band concerts but in more recent years have been an eclectic offering of music genres. This year, concert-goers will be treated from Celtic to bluegrass and soft rock to R&B musical styles.

McGraft Park is a 92-acre park along Ruddiman Creek - the pride of the Glenside Neighborhood - that has disc golf, tennis and basketball courts, a pavilion, a community center and the bandshell. The park dates back to 1917 when the city opened it upon an earlier land donation from Newcomb McGraft, a leading Lumber Era mill owner and former Muskegon mayor.

The 2023 McGraft Park concert series includes:

• Tuesday July 11: Blackthorn (Celtic)
• Tuesday July 18: Austin Benzing (Grateful Dead Tribute Band)
• Tuesday July 25: West Side Soul Surfers (local favorite pop/rock)
• Thursday Aug. 3: Sunchasers Band (Country)
• Thursday Aug. 10: Plain Jane Glory (Blue Grass and Folk)
• Tuesday Aug. 15: Post Fontaine (Soft Rock)
• Tuesday Aug. 22: Larry Latin (Soul and R&B)

Blackthorn is sponsored by the Michigan Irish Music Festival, West Side Soul Surfers by the Joseph and Norma Horan Fund of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County and Plain Jane Glory by AgeWell Services. The Aug. 15 concert will include a free ice cream social sponsored by the Glenside Neighborhood Association.

"The City of Muskegon and its Parks Department again is proud to provide free, family entertainment weekly throughout the heart of the summer," said Kyle Karczewski, the city's new parks and recreation director. "Our musical groups, sponsors and the Glenside Neighborhood make this summer tradition possible."

For more information contact:

Kyle Karczewski, parks and recreation director
231-724-4100
[email protected]

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