Concord Band Performs "Star Spangled Spectacular"

Picnic in the Park

Celebrate Independence Day at Picnic in the Park.  The annual Concord celebration is marking its 48th year with tradition and fun for the whole family.  Enjoy a bike parade, entertainment, activities, music, and food!

The Concord Band performs a program titled "Star Spangled Spectacular" at 3:15.

FMI: Picnic in the Park

Picnic in the Park

Celebrate 4th of July! 

Picnic in the Park, July 4, 11am-4pm at Emerson Field 

Fun, field games, food, live entertainment, kiddie parade and more!

The Concord Band will perform at 3:15. Bring lawn chairs or a blanket to enjoy a rousing patriotic concert on the green!

Program for the day, subject to change:

In the event of rain, the concert will be held at 51 Walden Performing Arts Center.

True to be Red, White, and Blue

Due to forecasts for rain showers on Tuesday, live music performances will be held indoors at the 51 Walden Performing Arts Center.

The Concord Band will perform at the Town of Concord's 46th annual Picnic in the Park Independence Day celebration, at Emerson Field 51Walden around 3:15pm on July 4. The theme is "True to be Red White and Blue."

2023 Picnic in the Park

In addition to traditions such as Armed Forces Salute, Star Spangled Spectacular, Irving Berlin's Songs for America, and themes from popular movies, the Band will play two movements from Boston Liberties, composed by Julie Giroux for the Concord Band.

The town is planning a full day of activities, from 11:30 am until 4:30 pm. It features plenty of kid's activities, games, food and entertainment for all ages. Bring your own picnic basket and just relax on the grass listening to live music, or enjoy some of the food from several local nonprofit organizations. It is a great way to celebrate the holiday with family and friends in a relaxing community social event.

Festivities kick off with the children's parade, assembling at the Concord Armory on Everett Street at 11:15am. Decorate your bikes, trikes, baby carriages and wagons in red, white and blue and celebrate the holiday. The parade route is from the Armory through the tree lined alley of the park to the flagpole. The patriotic colors of the parade set the stage for a festive day, celebrating our country's birthday.

Music, food, and games to follow at Emerson Field until 4:30 p.m. Come join your neighbors and show your patriotism in an old fashioned, family fun day. All are welcome!

The music will feature live performances by by Rock a Bye Beats, Southern Rail and capped by the rousing sounds of the Concord Band.

Due to forecasts for rain showers on Tuesday, live music performances will be held indoors in the Performing Arts Center at 51 Walden St.

Picnic in the Park Independence Day Concert

Join the Concord Band and The Town of Concord for the annual Fourth of July Picnic in the Park.  Everyone is welcome. Plenty of fun things to do for adults and kids of all ages, and a perfect time to relax on the grass (bring a chair), have a picnic, and listen to fabulous music. A perfect way to spend Independence Day!

Picnic in the Park

Join us for The Town of Concord's annual Fourth of July Picnic in the Park.

The day kicks off with the Minuteman Classic Road Race. The Youth Fun Run starts at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 5-Mile Road Race at 9 a.m. [Click here] for more information about the race.

The Children's Bicycle and Tricycle Parade starts the day's assembles at 11:15 a.m. After the parade, there will be music, games and entertainment until 4:30 p.m. Here's a look at what's in store.

Schedule of Events

10:00 a.m.‒12:00 p.m.

RE/MAX Balloon Rides (weather permitting)

11:45 a.m.‒1:00 p.m.

David Polansky

12:30‒1:30 p.m.

Field Games

1‒3 p.m.

Lizzie the Clown

1‒4 p.m.

Henna Tattoos

1‒4 p.m.

Roaming Railroad Rides

1:30‒3:00 p.m.

Southern Rail Band

2‒3 p.m.

Hampstead Players: Treasure Island--Hunt Gym

3:15‒4:30 p.m.

The 60-piece Concord Band play a variety of patriotic tunes to end Picnic-in-the-Park on a high note!

Summer Series Showcases Musical Variety

Concord Band at Fruitlands Museum's outdoor amphitheater.

The Concord Band is preparing for its 33rd season at Fruitlands Museum, in Harvard, Mass. The summer concert series begins on Thursday June 21, conducted by Jim O’Dell, who next fall, along with the Concord Band's 60th Anniversary Season celebration, will be celebrating his own 10th season as Music Director.

The first program, titled Main Street USA, will feature some Dixieland, some blues, some marches, and selections from Broadway.  The program includes a reprise by Concord Band trumpeter Rich Givens of Leroy Anderson’s Trumpeters Lullaby. The following week, June 28th, it’s Strike Up the Bands with popular music from Chicago, Santana, the Beatles, ABBA, and big bands of the swing era.

The Independence Day program of patriotic American music will be performed at the Picnic in the Park concert in Concord on July 4 and repeated at Fruitlands the following evening on Thursday July 5. The program includes the march, America Forever written by Malinda Zenor, which is a delightful medley of Battle Cry of Freedom and America the Beautiful.

The program on July 12, themed For Kids of All Ages, includes catchy children’s tunes and familiar movie music. The Band will be lead by dynamic Assistant Conductor Steve Barbas, who has chosen A Rhapsody of Reruns, an amusing melange of  favorite TV show themes from the 1950s and 1960s, as well as World of Warcraft, a piece with symphonic themes from the hit video game.

July 19 will have a program honoring American Masters Leonard Bernstein, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Frank Sinatra, and George Gershwin. Bernstein, who was born in Lawrence and educated at Harvard, became the leading figure in 20th-century American classical music. The Concord Band continues our tribute to his 100th birthday by performing A Simple Song from Mass and Selections from West Side Story.  The final concert on July 26 is a Summer Retrospective, comprising encores of audience favorites across the entire concert series.

Fruitlands concerts are Thursdays starting at 7:15 pm. The grounds open at 5:00 pm and the Art Gallery is open to concert goers.  Admission is $20 per carload, or $15 for members of Trustees of the Reservations; $10 for cyclists and motorcycles, or $5 for members.

The Picnic in the Park concert at Emerson Field in Concord begins at 3:15 pm.  Come early for lots of fun family activities!  Admission is free.  In the event of rain, the concert will be played in the Performance Arts Center at 51 Walden Street.

Fruitlands concerts may be canceled if weather is threatening; the Band’s phone line (978-897-9969) will have cancellation information. More information about the Concord Band can be found on Facebook or at www.concordband.org.

The Concord Band’s Fruitlands summer series is supported in part by the Bolton and Harvard Cultural Councils. The Concord Cultural Council also supports the Band’s Winter concert at 51 Walden.