June 1, 2017 3:20 PM

RELAXING - Audiences enjoy some tunes during Music in the Park in this file shot. That popular event, along with the Community Market, start up June 7th for another terrific season of fun and variety for local residents. / photo submitted

BY MARK WEBER

Lacombe Express

On June 7th, two popular community events - the Community Market and Music in the Park - will be launching a brand new season for the summer.

The Community Market runs from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Wednesday evening until the end of August. And also on June 7th, join Flatiron Jazz for the first performance in the Music in the Park Program.

Wendy Buyer, market manager for the Community Market, confirmed the vendors are extremely excited to come back this year. What a beautiful way to break up the monotony of the mid-week blues, shopping at the friendly vendors, dinner at the delicious food trucks and a free live concert every week!

It was a few years ago that Guy Lapointe, with the City of Lacombe, approached Buyar with the idea of putting together a community market.

Buyar, with her extensive connections in the community, was the ideal choice to help with launching that initial event that has continued to be such a success. It was easy for me to coordinate all of those people together, she said.

Meanwhile, presented by the Lacombe Performing Arts Centre Foundation, Music in the Park offers an opportunity for residents of Lacombe and many summer visitors to enjoy an evening of entertainment and experience a wide range of musical styles.

Originally, Music in the Park was started by a friend of mine, Lann Lieurance, who was a musician here in Lacombe, and he wanted to be able to have a performance series that offered high quality music on a free basis to the people in the community, on a regular basis, explained Ellen Corea, a committee member for Music in the Park.

Its was so exciting because it was taking the project we were dealing with and really expanding it, she said of the combination of Music at the Park with the Community Market. We had visions of having this wonderful festival atmosphere. And I think the really neat part of it is that its turned out that way.

Really, the atmosphere downtown on a Wednesday night in the summer is unbelievable.

Music in the Park runs from June to August, every Wednesday starting at 6:30 p.m.

Everyone is invited to bring their lawn chairs and picnic blankets to the park, enjoy the beautiful weather, good friends and an evening of free entertainment.

The bands go rain or shine. There will be signs if it is moved to an inside venue.

The organizers are also very excited to offer something very special this year; a new performing venue - the Echo Stage. A dedication for the stage starts at 6:15 p.m. on June 7th, said Corea.

Located on the site where the performers have set up for the past two years, the new stage will offer shelter for the musicians and their equipment as well as an improved sight line for the audience, she said.

Were going to dedicate it to the memory of Lann Lieurance who started the program, said Corea.

Working from an initial idea, Peter Bouwsema from PJ Designs volunteered his time and talent to design a beautiful Post and Beam structure, she said.

Wayne Froese from Top Peg Timber Construction was then brought in to make the dream a reality.

Volunteers Chad Collins donated his time as general contractor on the project and with framer Ryan Fauria (Down Home Builders), built the floor.

The finishing touch was the electrical, installed by Sparks and Awl, giving the stage the power to keep the sound going.

For this project, the Lacombe Performing Arts Centre Foundation (LPACF) was pleased to have as their major partner Echo Energy who provided half the funding for the stage.

I think this project really demonstrates the power Echo Energy has to positively impact our community. We are proud to support this initiative and look forward to helping realize new opportunities, said Echo Energy President Drayton Bussiere.

In addition LPACF received a greatly appreciated anonymous donation, a donation of materials for the floor from Castle Building Supplies and they fundraised for the rest of the funds, said Corea.

Meanwhile, Corea and Buyar are having a blast helping to arrange these highly anticipated, summer-long events for the community.

Im just loving the continuation of the project, said Corea. I think the support from the community has also been amazing. And I think that anything you can do to enhance your community is the gravy in your life.

Ive heard nothing but positive feedback.

Buyar agreed.

I get to be around positive people - I have a fantastic time and I get to play on Wednesdays, really, she added with a laugh.

Between Ellen and I, we have a really good relationship and we work really well together, added Buyar. It shows in how well Wednesdays run!

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Summer comes alive with Community Market and Music in the Park - Lacombe Express