While warm summer days and outdoor concerts are still a few months away, the City of Kawartha Lakes is looking to line up local musicians now for the city’s 2025 “Concerts in the Park” series.
The parks and recreation division, in partnership with local bands and sponsors, has been providing free concerts at Victoria Park in downtown Lindsay for 33 years.
With a series of 15 concerts planned for this summer at the Frank Banks Gazebo, the municipality is inviting performers to put their names forward.
“We’re aiming for a diverse line-up of performers, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy,” the city’s manager of parks and recreation Ryan Smith told kawarthaNOW. “Our goal is to offer multiple talented artists the opportunity to share their unique performances with the audience.”
Weather permitting, concerts take place on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Sunday afternoons from 2 to 4 p.m. during July and August.
The concerts provide an opportunity for people to meet and interact, and the event overall helps develop community spirit while supporting local musical talent.
Smith said the concerts are important to residents and musicians alike.
“The event provides free, easily accessible entertainment, making it a valuable resource for the community,” he said. “It serves as a platform to showcase local talent and fosters a sense of connection among attendees.”
Attendance for each concert typically ranges from 50 to 100 people, “creating an intimate yet engaging atmosphere for those that attend,” Smith added.
When asked what types of artists and music genres are desired, Smith said the main objective is to ensure the musicians are offering a family-friendly show.
“We kindly ask performers to tailor their set and language to suit a broad audience. We typically feature a dynamic mix of genres, ranging from jazz to rock, ensuring a variety of musical styles for all tastes.”
The 2025 series, sponsored by the Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce, will feature an open mic concert once a month. These shows will provide aspiring performers with the opportunity to display their talent in three songs or less during a 15-minute set.
When the first concert of the season takes place on Wednesday, July 2, residents and visitors can grab their lawn chairs or blankets and settle in at Victoria Park, which is located at 210 Kent St. W., to take in the outdoor live music.
Performers interested in volunteering their time and talent to the concert series are asked to reach out to the parks and recreation department.
For more information, including how to sign up as a performer and to view the 2025 concert schedule, visit www.kawarthalakes.ca/en/things-to-do/concerts-in-the-park.aspx.
