Music fills the park

Celtic, jazz, country — local music lovers will have their pick of genres when the annual Music in the Park summer program kicks off Monday at Memorial Park.

Co-sponsored by the city of La Cañada Flintridge and the La Cañada Valley Sun, Music in the Park was launched in 1997 in conjunction with Fiesta Days, the city’s annual Memorial Day weekend celebrations.

It has since grown into one of La Cañada’s signature events, attracting hundreds of picnic-toting families from throughout the Crescenta and San Gabriel valleys.

“When Music in the Park arrives it is a sign that summer is here in La Cañada,” Mayor Donald Voss said. “The city is pleased to provide this summer-long festival. It is a way to bring the community together on a lazy summer afternoon.”

The local rock band Captain Cardiac and the Coronaries, which has been in the Music in the Park lineup since 1998, will open the 14-week series at 4 p.m. Monday. They will be followed by a performance by the L.A. Bluescasters on June 6.

Organizers work to include something for everyone, said Parks and Recreation Commission chair James Kambe.

“What we have tried to do is stick with the old faithfuls, the ones that have always been very successful and gotten tremendous feedback,” Kambe said of the scheduled acts.

In addition, Music in the Park now includes a classic car show, on June 13, and a family movie night, on July 11.

Despite the approximately $30,000 price tag, the city has never seriously considered canceling, Voss and Kambe said.

“If you look at the benefit for the community and the turnout you have, I think it is a tremendous return,” Kambe said.