PMSA board member
On a lazy summer evening in a small park filled with green grass and brightly blooming flowers, there’s a buzz of conversation as people anxiously await the first strains of music from the band setting up for an evening of entertainment — that’s the Sleepy Creek Concert Series.
It’s just one of the many things about life in a small town that many of us treasure.
Another summer is over and we’ve just completed our second series of concerts.
Featured this year were folk, bluegrass, and gospel artists. Each of the concerts set a unique tone and was enjoyed by an audience of nearly 120 people, including a lot of kids. Even a couple of dogs attended. The audience sat in lawn chairs at tables decorated with colorful tablecloths and vases of flowers or candles, as they enjoyed good, live music and were served food prepared by a hardworking group of volunteers.
The goals of the Sleepy Creek Concert Series were to get people out of their homes to see their neighbors and friends, to facilitate use of the parks considered a great asset to life here, and to present music to the community in a live forum at an affordable price that also expands the listeners’ appreciation of different genres and affords area musicians an outlet to share their talents.
Both the concert and dinner were presented for the price of a donation. Money from these events was split by two non-profit groups who sponsor SCCS — Peabody Main Street Association and Partners of Peabody’s Parks.
PMSA donated their share toward matching funds for a grant to construct a public restroom in Santa Fe Park. When the band and food are paid for, the remainder of the money taken in is reinvested into the community through various projects.
We are looking forward to next year’s concerts and will begin to plan for them soon.
Please plan to make them part of your summer. We would love to see you there.