This summer marks the 25th anniversary of Concerts in the Park, a beloved tradition of the Moose Jaw Health Foundation (MJHF).
Beginning June 5, Wednesday evenings will be the best time to head to the Crescent Park amphitheater to catch some great music.
“It has a special place in the hearts of Moose Javians, and not only people in this community, but we see so many tourists that come through, that are visiting our city and they spend that evening with us,” said Kelly McElree, executive director of the MJHF.
During intermission, volunteers take a voluntary collection through the audience — asking them to dig for some coins, or maybe a bill or two. The funds always go towards aiding patients in the city.
To date, the event has raised over $112,000 for the Foundation, which has been put towards pediatrics, the Women’s Health Unit, surgical equipment, and chemotherapy, among other things at the local hospital.
This year, the Foundation is hoping to raise enough for a new digital mammography unit, to help with early detection of breast cancer.
It could be said that the annual musical event is a fundraiser for the Health Foundation’s current project, but McElree wants people to know it's so much more than that.
“Concerts in the Park really is special because we view it, at the Foundation, as saying thank you to our donors,” said McElree. “We can't say thank you enough to them, and this is a great way of entertaining people through the summer.
“It really is a wonderful way for people to come out, in the summer, take in some great weather and listen to some music by some very talented people that are volunteering their time to entertain the folks of Moose Jaw.”
And entertaining it will be, promised McElree. The concerts are scheduled every Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m., beginning June 5 and ending Aug. 21, and feature a wide range of musical talent: polka, country, rock, even some skilled accordion work.
“It's a kind of eclectic lineup. That really delights the crowd; there's something new every week,” said McElree.
A full schedule of the bands performing can be found on the Health Foundation's website, and updates about the performances are always posted on their Facebook page.
“I always say the people that come out describe Concerts in the Park as a ‘toe-tapping good time,’” said McElree.
