WJOB/JedTV radio station owner Jim Dedelow; Lane Paradis, owner of Whiting Plumbing; and Brent Brashier, owner of Doc’s Smokehouse; describe their joint partnership as “a definite gamble” for the July 6 outdoor Grateful Dead tribute concert they are sponsoring as one of the new musical highlights for the annual Summer Concert Series at Wicker Memorial Park in Highland.
“There could be 150 people who show up, or 1,500 who show-up,” Dedelow said.
“So we are a little nervous since we are all three guys who are the Deadheads and fans of this music, and we’re the ones who have been pushing for this that past few years to finally happen, and now, it’s happening.”
The featured Grateful Dead tribute band July 6 is Terrapin Flyer, not to be confused with Dead and Company, the latter which includes Bob Weir, John Mayer, Mickey Hart, Oteil Burbidge and Jeff Chimenti, and is the group that played Wrigley Field June 9 and 10, and which both Dedelow and Pardis attended, wearing custom “I May Be Old But I’ve Seen Jerry” T-shirts.
Diana DeLeon, chief of staff and operations for the Office of the North Township Trustee and Trustee Adrian A. Santos, says she’s “less worried about any gamble” and instead “very excited,” along with her team who assists with planning the annual summer concert series at Wicker Memorial Park in Highland.
“Most people call this the ‘Thursday Night Summer Concert Series’ because it’s been around so long and audiences know it will always be on the Thursday nights of late June through August,” DeLeon said.
“Everyone expects variety, so adding in some new musical acts and taking chances is exactly what we should be doing.”
The concert series always starts at 7:30 p.m., with doors open at 6 p.m. and both lawn seats available, as well as the option of reserved tables for an admission price options ranging $10 to $100, along with an audience age requirement of 21 and older and plenty of free parking for Wicker Memorial Park, at the intersection of Ridge Road and U.S. Highway 41 in Highland. The concerts happen rain or shine and outside food, beverages and cooler are not allowed.
The first concert of 2023 was Trippin Billies, a tribute to the Dave Matthews Band on June 22, followed by Anthem’s Grand Illusion, a Styx band tribute on June 29 and then concerts continuing through Aug. 24.
“I’ve been with the trustee office for about three years along with Adrian in his trustee role, but Kelly Bridges, our special events director, has been in her role coordinating this music series for at least eight or nine years,” DeLeon said.
“The Thursday night summer concert series itself has been around at least 20 years and our audiences return year after year.”
The process for selecting entertainment involves a committee, which includes DeLeon working with Santos and Bridges and accepting the suggestions of both potential sponsors and the requests of the general public.
“I know a few years back, I understand we tried out booking some country music talent, but didn’t get the expected attendance,” DeLeon said, noting the biggest concerts can draw as many as 1,800 guests.
“Traditionally, we book 10 concerts a summer and we do bring back returning favorites. But sometimes, though we would like to, it’s not an option because of scheduling. For example, there was a terrific tribute band for Earth, Wind and Fire we had last summer but we could get a date that worked for them to have them back in 2023.”
This season, special incentive “reward” nights are offered for themed groups such as first responders and health care workers with valid employment identification receiving free admission on July 20 and active military personnel and veterans given free admission on July 27.
Following Terrapin Flyer as the Grateful Dead tribute band on July 6, the rest of the summer concert schedule includes: July 13 — Mr. Blue Sky, a tribute to Electric Light Orchestra; July 20 — Southern Accents, a tribute to Tom Petty; July 27 — Brothers Doobie, a tribute to The Doobie Brothers; Aug. 3 — Kashmir, a tribute to Led Zeppelin; Aug. 10 — Double Vision, a tribute to Foreigner; Aug. 17 — Echoes of Pompeii, a tribute to Pink Floyd; and Aug. 24 — Visions of Santana, a Latin music themed performance.
“For many people, they like the variety of music programming offered, and it inspires them to buy a season pass for $75 to attend every Thursday,” DeLeon said.
2023 Summer Concert Series at Wicker Memorial Park
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays June 22 to Aug. 24
Where: Wicker Memorial Park, intersection of Ridge Road and U.S. 41, Highland
Cost: $10
Information: 219-200-2937; northtownshiptrustee.com/events/summer-events/
Philip Potempa is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
