Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle

Vintage rock will roll this Friday in the exciting return to Music in the Park in Osoyoos.

Penticton band Flashback will be the first of 11 free concerts this year at the bandshell in Gyro Park from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Concert producers The Osoyoos Amigos have lined up some great performances this summer including five in July, four in August and 1 in September. Due to July 1 being on a Friday during Cherry Fiesta, Music in the Park will be held on Saturday, July 2.

Any decision to reschedule or cancel a concert will be made by 4 p.m. on concert day and placed on the Music in the Park Facebook page as well as the poster at Gyro Bandshell.

Founder Janis St. Louis said last year’s first concert of the summer attracted more than 1,000 people, a testament of how popular the event is. She noted that people crave live music and the fact these concerts are held outdoors for free. And after being cooped up for a long time during the pandemic, people are antsy to go out again with no restrictions.

St. Louis pointed out that a selection committee of five people (herself, Shirley Baker, Rusty Copeland, Jocelyn Merit, and Roland Berg) try to bring a good mix of music genres to the bandshell, including rock, country, and blues. She noted the last concert in September will feature Broadway show tunes. 

St. Louis said they have received more than 45 applications from bands who want to perform.

The cross section of music appeals to young and old, with a lot of it bringing back fond memories.

People are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs (or wheelchairs) and snacks. St. Louis said the Osoyoos Seniors Centre hosts a barbecue dinner every Friday night with enough burgers to feed the first 100 people from 5 to 6 p.m.

Thanks also go out to AG Foods for donating water for the bands.

St. Louis made it clear that Music in the Park is not funded by tax dollars but rather through funding from the province’s Resort Municipality Initiative.

Music in the Park has been livening up Osoyoos since 2015, and St. Louis hopes to see more ideas for the bandshell, such as plays (theatre under the stars) and movie nights.

She reminds people about the piano in the park (near the concession stand). Every day between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. people are invited to play the piano or simply drop by to listen.

Remember, music soothes the soul, and you never know who’s going to sit down and start playing Chopin.