Final Forest Hills ‘Picnic in the Park’ concert of the summer is August 28th

by Alexandra Chalupa
President, Friends of Forest Hills Playground

Looking for a fun way to celebrate the end of summer? On Friday, August 28th, bring a picnic and head to the Forest Hills Park for the last of three “Picnic in the Park” summer concerts hosted by Friends of Forest Hills Playground.

This concert will feature Downwire, a band of musicians from the Takoma Park area who play a “variety of rock, blues, soul, Motown and other great music guaranteed to increase circulation, boost heart-rates, and get [participants] jumping,” according to the band’s website. Downwire plays hits by many well-known artists, including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Van Morrison, Foo Fighters, The Who and The Beatles and has performed at music festivals, clubs and other events around the greater DC area. The band will perform at the park’s amphitheater starting at 6:00 p.m., with the music wrapping up by around 7:30 pm.

The concert is free and everyone is welcome! And you don’t even have to pack a picnic for this one. The Armand’s Pizza truck will be there, and will donate a portion of the proceeds to our organization. Order by the slice or place your orders for whole pies from Armand’s by Friay at 11:00 a.m. to guarantee fresh, hot goodness. Email Ron at [email protected] with your name, pie choice, and deep dish OR thin crust for each: cheese $15; spinach $17; pepperoni $17.

We are also seeking volunteers to help sell pizza, staff our information table and help with cleanup afterward. Please sign up here.

Each of the previous two concerts were attended by almost 200 neighbors of all ages, and like last month’s concert featuring Bob Perilla’s Big Hillbilly Bluegrass band, August’s concert will also have music geared toward adults but is sure to have even the youngest of us dancing up a storm.

Bob Perilla’s Big Hillbilly Bluegrass drew a crowd to the August show. (photos by Alexandra Chalupa)

Friends of Forest Hills Playground is your host and the local non-profit that helps oversee the park’s care and maintenance. We were heavily involved in the redesign of the new park that opened last fall, including the amphitheater. Our vision was to see the space used to bring the entire community together and to create a park that all generations can enjoy. We think this summer’s concert series has successfully achieved this (and the feedback indicates you agree!). Our aim also is to promote our non-profit’s work, boost membership and raise money that goes toward maintaining and improving the playground.

Please stop by our information table and say hello!

The organization plans to continue its ‘Picnic in the Park’ concert series next summer.

After the August 28th concert, the next big community event at the park will be the Friends of Forest Hills Playground’s annual “Spooktacular Halloween Party,” which will take place on Sunday, October 25th from 10 a.m. to noon. For more than a decade, we’ve hosted this popular Halloween party at the park for little goblins, superheroes and princesses from around the neighborhood. We hope you’ll join us for games, a magic show, a costume parade and other fun activities!