SOB or Music in the Park a success

By Alan Carman
The Imperial Republican
    Despite the wind blowing and 90 degree temperatures, over 300 people showed up for the Music in the Park, (Smokin on Broadway), Saturday evening.
    The music kicked off with a set of songs from 2026 CCS graduate Anna Lucia, who was accompanied by Rob Browning on the keyboards. Anna sang several numbers, with her high school friends cheering for her throughout her performance.
    Former CCS graduate, Chris Larson took to the stage next with his own set of music. Larson started his set at last years event, but got cut short due to inclement weather. This year the weather cooperated and Larson got to play his entire set.
    The third act of the night was Australian, Austin MacKay, who had been touring with the Talbott Brothers before coming to Imperial. MacKay sang a number of songs and seemed to enjoy the friendly crowd in Imperial. He liked the town enough to offer to come back if asked.
    In the final performance of the night, the headliners, The Talbott Brothers, brought their folk-rock style out and played to the hometown crowd.
    With their brotherly harmonies, the brothers put on a great show. MacKay even joined the brothers on stage for a song.
    After the show, all of the artists met with the crowd, signing autographs, taking pictures and just reminiscing.
    During the concert, there were 14 non-profit booths set up to take donations for the Imperial Community Foundation Fund Challenge. The Foundation was matching the first $50,000 dollars donated and had set a goal of $150,000.
    As of Monday, a total of $110,355 had been donated this year. Coupled with the $50,000 match, this years total is $160,355. That brings the four year total from the Challenge to over $560,000. What a generous community we live in.
    On a sad note, Chris Lee notified the Imperial Chamber that he was going to step down as chairman of the event. Lee has called upon anyone who wishes to see the event continue, to step up and put their own twist on it. If nobody does and the event has run it’s course, then so be it, but hopefully someone will have the energy to pick up where Chris has left off and keep the event alive.
    Lee acknowledged the many people that it takes to run an event such as this and thanked them all. Lets see what Imperial can come up with next year.