By Robert Whitmire

The Stevens Point City Band, under the direction of Kathryn Kawleski, will present its fourth concert of the summer season on Wednesday, June 29 at 7:00 PM in the Pfiffner Pioneer Park band shell along the Wisconsin River.

“Down On The Farm” will be the theme as the band plays music related to the rural life, including “Songs of the Plains”, “Put On Your Old Grey Bonnet”, “Hootenanny”, “The Roosters Lay Eggs in Kansas”, “American Minstrel – A Tribute To Stephen Foster”, “Bugs” and “Cotton-Eyed Joe”. The nineteenth annual Pet Parade will be held in conjunction with the weekly children’s march. Audience members are invited to bring their leashed pets and join in the parade, marching to “The Lambs’ March” by John Philip Sousa.

The Lambs March was written by Sousa in 1914 for the Lambs Club of New York City and its annual Gambo! Parade. The Club is known as Americas First Theatrical Club and was established Christmas week of 1874.

Stephen Foster became known as “The Father of American Music” composing over 200 songs. Oh! Susanna – which became primarily associated with the California Gold Rush – My Old Kentucky Home, Camptown Races, Swanee River are just some of the Foster favorites that kids of all ages have hummed and sung aloud throughout the years. In 1854 he penned Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair dedicated to his wife Jane Denny McDowell.

The evening’s highlight will be “Richard Rodgers In Concert”, when vocalists from Central Wisconsin Area Community Theater will join the band in performing a medley of songs composed by Rodgers, including “Oklahoma”, “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over”, “My Funny Valentine”, “The Surrey With The Fringe On Top”, “The Sound of Music” and many more.

Michele’s Restaurant and Catering of Stevens Point will provide food for purchase before and during the concert. Concerts are free and held Wednesday evenings through August 3.

Audience members should bring chairs or blankets for seating. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be held in the gymnasium at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School, 1919 Wyatt Avenue, Stevens Point, and the pet parade will be postponed until the following week.