Photos: Concert in the Park with Yorkville Big Band

Despite the heat and threat of rain later in the evening, throngs of people made their way to Montgomery Park last Thursday to watch the Yorkville Big Band take the stage.

The evening was part of the Fox Valley Park District’s annual Concerts in the Park series.

The Yorkville Big Band, made up of more than 20 musicians, got the community in the mood for Independence Day with a rousing combination of patriotic songs and big band favorites.

Yorkville resident Rick Falato is band director and founder of the band.

Thursday’s event also included an ice cream social, complete with several types of ice creams and toppings, before the show.

For Rich and Dee Kellen of Aurora, the concerts are “a great summer outing.”

“We’ve come to Park District concerts before,” Dee Kellen said. “They’re a great outing and it’s a beautiful night.”

Another perk?

“They’re free,” Dee Kellen said.

Montgomery resident Linda White was persuaded by her neighbor, JoAnn James, to attend.

“This is the first one for me,” White said.

As for what helped White make her decision to attend, it was the ice cream.

“I think that’s what it was,” she said.

James said she has attended past summer concerts.

“It’s nice to get out and see people--some we don’t know and some we do know,” she said.

Here’s the lineup of bands for the rest of the summer:
•  August, July 7 at McCullough Park
• Gallery, July 14 at Montgomery Park
• American Legion Band, July 28 at McCullough Park
• Saturday June Band, Aug. 4 at McCullough Park

For more information, call (630) 966-4555 or visit the Park District website at www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org