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Elkhart parks board approves summer entertainment, AV and carnival contracts
Summary
Elkhart Parks Board approved a slate of summer entertainment contracts — including a $800 booking for Bobby Hunt — and awarded audio‑visual and carnival contracts for Rhapsody, Independence Day and Island of Blues, consolidating event vendors for the season.
The Elkhart Parks Board and Recreation on March 17 approved multiple entertainment and audio‑visual contracts for the 2026 summer season, including a $800 contract for Bobby Hunt and the Day Drinkers to perform at Summer Chill.
Liz Stahlnaker, event coordinator for Elkhart Parks and Recreation, said the department opened bids for audio‑visual services and "EA Pro came in with that winning bid" to support Rhapsody, Independence Day and Island of Blues. The board approved EA Pro for the Rhapsody main and family‑zone stages and ratified the vendor for the July 4 and Island of Blues productions by voice votes.
The board also approved an ACP Entertainment contract to add carnival rides and family‑zone attractions to Rhapsody on June 13; staff described that contract as covering operators and ride staffing. Michael Wells' production company, presented in the meeting as "Bad Entertainment," will continue to run an "Afternoon in the Park" concert series with dates on June 12, Aug. 9 and Sept. 13, and the board ratified that continuing relationship.
Other artist contracts approved for Rhapsody included Levi Lumberjack (afternoon slot), King Bee and the Stingers (Friday night headliner) and Blame Not the Bard (Irish folk band) for a Saturday slot. Board members emphasized variety across festival time slots and retained several returning performers.
All approvals were made by voice vote; motions were moved, seconded and carried without recorded roll‑call tallies in the transcript.
The board's approvals finalize vendor and entertainment plans that staff said will support expanded event programming across downtown Elkhart this summer.
