A back to the future strategy for summer music in downtown Toledo is a great idea that we are highly confident will attract eager crowds and showcase local talent. (“Local nonprofit prepares to host Toledo's summer concert series,” Tuesday)
ConnecToledo, the nonprofit created by community leaders to drive downtown redevelopment, will take the lead in recreating the “Party in the Park” that brought thousands to the riverfront at Promenade Park in the late ’80s and early ’90s.
Rally by the River, as it was also known, was basically Friday fellowship with free music and cold beverages that brought people or kept people downtown.
Toledo City Council is being asked for $50,000 of a total budget of $340,000 that will bring 10 free concerts roughly spanning Memorial Day to Labor Day.
City funding, if approved by council, will take care of securing a stage and sound system. It’s a no-brainer to allocate $5,000 per party for an event that not only brings life to downtown Toledo but also revives fond memories of past music events in the same location.
“We’re using local bands and kind of regional bands to try and keep all the money locally here in the community,” ConnecToledo President Paul Toth told Blade reporter Alice Momany.
One of the most positive aspects of reviving Party in the Park is the ability to showcase the high quality bands in Toledo and northwest Ohio.
The format as explained to reporter Momany calls for an opening act and featured band, so 20 local or regional groups will get a paid performance and the widespread attention that helps attract more gigs.
The city gets a downtown event that doesn’t require an expensive ticket and fencing to keep people out. The format is aligned with the ConnecToledo mission to attract people downtown and help all the businesses nearby.
“One of the things that we hear often is that we have these events at Promenade, but they are ticketed, and it is fenced in,” Toledo economic development director Brandon Sehlhorst said. “This, I think, will truly benefit the downtown businesses because there will be no fence, and you know, folks can go down there, enjoy some live music, have a drink, and then go get dinner somewhere after.”
Activity that spreads throughout downtown is exactly what’s likely to happen thanks to the powerful combination of music, waterfront, skyline and friends that showcase Toledo at its most attractive state.
Party in the Park is a small civic investment in a big quality of life improvement we expect to become a highlight of summers in Greater Toledo.
First Published April 16, 2025, 4:00 a.m.
