Threatening weather doesn’t stop concert in the park

Posted on October 1, 2018 By Editor Our Community

Robert E. Lee High School NJROTC members Destiny Flynn, Nakiayh Williams, Bradley Gruber and Yerielle Hamton (Photo by KramKran Photo)

After rainy weather during the Memorial Day weekend forced a reschedule of a concert and picnic in Memorial Park, the threat of similar weather over Labor Day weekend almost conspired to do the same. Fortunately, the skies cleared up long enough for families and supporters of Memorial Park to spread out on the lawn and enjoy a concert by the Navy Band Southeast Wind Ensemble and Jazz Combo.

Timothy Burleigh, Memorial Park Association board vice president opened the evening with remarks, followed by presentation of the colors by four members of the Robert E. Lee High School Navy Junior ROTC. The Navy Band Southeast welcomed several former Navy musicians to join the band in concert.

“Memorial Park Association was so pleased that the event was able to be rescheduled as it had to be postponed due to weather back on Memorial Day weekend. We were even happier the rain held off this time allowing for a fantastic evening!” said Burleigh. “A big thank you to Navy Band Southeast for putting on another terrific program for the crowd. The Association is excited about the many upcoming events during weekends this fall leading up to Veterans Day and our commemoration of the centennial end to WWI.”

Presented in collaboration with the City of Jacksonville’s government division, the Memorial Park Association hosted the free concert and picnic in the park Sept. 2. Food trucks Not Your Mama’s Eats & Treats, Murray Hillbilly and Extreme Burgers & Shakes provided fare for the crowd of nearly 400.