Estacada parks commissioners review summer concert series; discuss later start times, shade and compensating volunteer organizer

The Estacada Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed its summer “Concerts in the Park” series at its Aug. 28 meeting, noting steady attendance across five shows and discussing changes to increase audience and vendor participation next year.

Commissioners said the series generally drew the same attendees to multiple shows but that afternoon heat may have reduced family attendance. Commissioners discussed shifting start and end times to later in the afternoon (suggested ranges included 3–5 p.m., 4–6 p.m. and 4–6 p.m. to capture dinner-hour crowds) to encourage greater turnout and make food vending more attractive.

Commissioners also discussed shade and insect control. Members said temporary shade canopies were used and appreciated and suggested exploring larger seasonal canvas canopies or other permanent shade options. The commission noted yellow-jacket traps were used and recommended continuing insect controls.

Several commissioners suggested placing children’s activities where they would be visible from the stage (instead of at a shaded table tucked around a corner), adding signage for kid activities and using on-site signs so volunteers do not have to hand out activities individually. The commission discussed spending part of the events budget for a back-to-school drive — for example, purchasing inexpensive school supplies to distribute at concerts as a turnout incentive.

The commission discussed vendor recruitment and costs. Commissioners said low turnout limits interest from food vendors. They discussed the economics of a vendor minimum sale guarantee (estimating a per-vendor minimum in the “$700–$1,000” range) and noted that hiring an agency to book bands would add costs. Rob Gaskell, the volunteer who currently books and coordinates the acts for the series, was described as having provided the service for years; commissioners discussed asking vendors/agencies for quotes and possibly paying Gaskell to retain his services if his fee would be lower than hiring an agency.

What this means: Commissioners asked staff to research vendor-booking costs, to consider later performance times and to explore shade options and improved placement of children's activities to integrate families into the audience.

Ending

Commissioners did not adopt a new policy at the meeting. They asked staff to gather vendor/agency pricing and bring options for a time change, shade solutions and a pilot children’s-activity layout to a future meeting.