Music in the Park
2026 MUSIC IN THE PARK CONCERT SERIES LINEUP
2026 Music in the Park promises to live up to our major award and will be another stellar series this summer, with eleven shows on the bill! Thanks to our many patrons, the City of Parsons, Music in the Park was voted "Best Live Music Venue" in the Best of Labette County 2026 Contest. The 2026 Music in the Park Concert Series is scheduled to begin on Thursday, May 21 and, as always, is free. The City of Parsons, Kansas is proud to present this weekly concert series, located at the Seaton Family Pavilion in Forest Park at 204 S. 13th Street (13th and Broadway), in Parsons, Kansas beginning at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday.
It's a "two-fer" kicking off the 27th Annual Katy Days Festival, this year's pre-Katy Days concert on Thursday, May 21 features The Dillon Leggett Band playing Country favorites and a movie, "The Greatest Showman." An addition to the first concert of the season, attendees will be able to enjoy some vendors who will be in place for Katy Days. The Dillon Leggett Band is an up-and-coming band on the live music scene, bringing together over a hundred years' experience into one powerful, crowd-pleasing show. Blending the heart of country with the edge of classic rock, the band delivers a sound that resonates with audiences of all ages. Performing throughout the Four States region, the Dillon Leggett Band has built a reputation for high-energy performances, tight musicianship, and an authentic connection with the crowd. Whether it's a honky-tonk favorite or a classic rock favorite, they bring every song to life with passion and precision. Driven by a love for music and a commitment to giving fans an unforgettable experience, the Dillon Leggett Band is excited to bring their show to you. Get ready for a night of great music, dance vibes, and a band that truly loves what they do.
After the Dillon Leggett band, don't go anywhere - the Parsons Public Library, in conjunction with their "Movies On Broadway" series presents "Movie in the Park." The audience will be treated to the award-winning "The Greatest Showman." This is about the wildly colorful life of 1800s impresario P. T. Barnum, who founded the Barnum and Bailey Circus. Hugh Jackman plays the roll of Barnum in the splashy musical extravaganza for the whole family.
It wouldn't be Music in the Park without the Parsons Community Orchestra and Chorus in our yearly lineup on Thursday, May 28. A timeless classic offering, the park offers a backdrop for an Orchestra and Chorus Concert in a picturesque setting that dates back more than 100 years. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy a splendid evening of entertainment from the Parsons Community Orchestra and Chorus comprised of area musicians and vocalists directed by Scott Nelson.
Have you ever wanted to live out your "Rockstar" dreams and experience the thrill of fronting a professional band on a big stage, and singing to all your adoring fans? If so, you need to make sure you come out on Thursday, June 4 to attend a performance of the ensemble Left Of Center as they present Rockstar Karaoke. Left Of Center has been rocking the Four States for over 8 years and are known for their eclectic mix of musical styles and genres.
In 2024 they began to make their style of music accessible to other singers. Rockstar Karaoke was born to give fans the chance to front a real rock band. With a repertoire of almost 400 songs, Rockstar Karaoke provides a unique opportunity for up to four singers at a time to sing onstage with a professional band of musicians at your disposal. That's right, they are YOUR backing band...........if you love to sing karaoke, you will never forget Rockstar Karaoke!
If you like your Blues music delivered with power and emotion then don't miss the Wanda Watson Band when they perform Thursday, June 11. A long-time staple of the Tulsa music scene, Wanda Watson has been praised for her powerhouse vocals. Very rarely will you find an entertainer whose style and charisma matches their talent or vice versa, but Wanda Watson delivers on both counts. Hard charging and aggressive on one song; tender and emotionally sincere on the next, Wanda makes every song her own. Any of her devoted fans will tell you her performances make every audience member feel that she is there for them and them alone.
She is a definitive blues artist. In a city noted for its top-shelf musicians and singers, Wanda stands out as a true stylist. Whether putting her stamp on original songs or belting out time tested standards, Wanda is a consummate entertainer and crowd pleaser. No other singer gives such emotional and gutsy performances...as her faithful and reverent fans will attest. Expect to be WOWED!
On Thursday, June 18, Lauren-Ashley, the songbird, affectionately named by her family, and a rising star in Kansas City's dynamic R&B landscape will bring her talents to the Seaton Family Pavilion stage. Blending classic soul influences with contemporary R&B sensibilities, Lauren creates a sound that feels both timeless and fresh. With years of performance experience throughout Kansas City's most respected venues, Lauren has built a reputation for crowd pleasing shows. Her band features some of KC's finest musicians, each bringing their own exceptional talent to create her signature sound. Together they craft a musical experience perfectly tailored to each venue's unique atmosphere and audience.
Next a new and popular concept for Music in the Park on Thursday, June 25 is Dreamscape 88's Dueling Pianos. Have you ever wanted to go to a live music event and dictate the songs performed by the entertainer? If so, be sure to show up to enjoy Dreamscape 88's all-request dueling piano performance. Dreamscape 88's features the talents of piano virtuosos Tony Rustici and Dennis Laffoon who have consistently been one of the most popular dueling piano acts in the greater Kansas City area for the past ten years. A show by Dreamscape 88's features all the elements you'd expect from a dueling pianos show including stellar musicianship, quality vocals, comedy, and of course, audience participation. After all, it's the audience members who choose which songs the duo performs, so in return they ask the audience to sing along. With more than 70 years of experience between Tony and Dennis, you would be hard pressed to come up with a song to stump them on. So be sure to come out and enjoy the party atmosphere that is Dreamscape 88's dueling pianos.
Remember, no Thursday, July 2 concert, but under the direction of Julia McCabe, the Community Band returns with their Patriotic Celebration on Saturday, July 4, for Independence Day. Enjoy your Fourth of July holiday with some music and then some fireworks in Marvel Park! July 4 Music in the Park features the Parsons Community Band with a patriotic musical salute featuring all your favorite marches and anthems. After the concert, be sure to hang out and enjoy the annual "Fireworks 4 Parsons" fireworks display from nearby Marvel Park.
Thursday, July 9, Elwood and The Blues Masters is a classic Rhythm & Blues Band in tribute to The Blues Brothers, performing the hits of such legendary artists as Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, and Ray Charles. Every show is a piano-pounding, horn-blasting, spirit-lifting performance! They play the crowd-pleasing, can't-sit-still hits! "Soul Man," "Hold On I'm Coming," "Mustang Sally," "In the Midnight Hour," and many more.
The Blues Masters is a nine-piece band, with a full horn section, based in Kansas City and comprised of some of the City's finest Rhythm & Blues and Soul musicians. Since the band was formed in the Spring of 2025, they have taken the town by storm, with bookings in all the major Kansas City venues. The word is out. When Elwood and The Blues Masters show up, it's a party. Elwood and The Blues Masters are on a Mission to bring their Fabulous Rhythm & Blues Revue to Parsons - "HIT IT!"
Fans of true Americana music will not want to miss Tom Pevear & The Backyard Band on Thursday, July 16. Renowned for his adept fingerpicking and inspiring singing, Pevear revitalizes classic blues, folk, bluegrass, and country songs while also crafting original compositions that capture his experiences on the road. His latest album "Songs For The Road," was released in August of 2025 on Nashville's Gitcha Records, and has received high praise by numerous reviewers for its rich tone and unique arrangements.
Tom plays over 250 shows a year, and has been featured at Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival, Winfield KS Duck Days, Horton Records T-Town Git Down, Bushyhead Fall Farm Festival & more. Joining Tom on stage will be a trio of some of the finest musicians from the Tulsa area.
Thursday, July 23, ShipRocked sails in with all the retro hits baby boomers will recognize. Yacht rock (originally known as the West Coast sound or adult-oriented rock) is a broad music style and aesthetic commonly associated with soft rock, one of the most commercially successful genres from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s. Yacht rock draws on sources such as smooth soul, smooth jazz, R&B, and disco, common stylistic traits include high-quality production, clean vocals, and a focus on light, catchy melodies. The term yacht rock was coined in 2005 by the makers of the online comedy video series Yacht Rock, who connected the music with the popular Southern Californian leisure activity of boating.
Alright, grab your captain's hat and warm up those vocals-because this is the smooth rock, country, and R&B you know by heart. This yacht rock band is serving up a nonstop medley of feel-good classics packed with hooks, harmonies, and choruses made for singing along. If you've ever blasted these songs on eight-track tapes with the windows down, this one's for you-This is ShipRocked!
Wrapping up another season, on Thursday, July 30, we'll be entertained by Howard Mahan a guitarist, singer, and songwriter originally from Fredonia, KS and currently based out of Lawrence, KS. Howard started playing guitar in a family band at age 9 and hasn't stopped since. "Howard Mahan & Friends" has been together as a concept since 2016 with various line ups, playing every bar, club, and festival in the area, especially in the post-pandemic era. The band has recorded three all-original albums since 2020, creating a sound that spans blues and rock roots, jam music, Americana, and more. Expect a fiery blend of passionate guitar and vocals with a touch of rock and roll!
The Music in the Park Concert Series is managed by the City of Parsons. Promotional assistance has been provided by Labette County Tourism and Parsons Chamber of Commerce. We welcome several special individual show sponsors: Alexander Manufacturing, makers of the Woodhaven, American Original Firewood Rack, Taco Mayo, Tom Davis Auto Group, Grand True Value Rental, Wright Signs, Outsiders Tacos and More, IdeaTek; bringing gigabit fiber internet to the Midwest, V93 KLKC Variety 93.5 FM, FOX Sports 106.7 FM KLKC, and Sports, News, Ag 1540 AM. Please show your appreciation by thanking and supporting these sponsors. As always, the concerts are free of charge. Bench seating and picnic tables are available, but individuals are encouraged to bring their blankets and lawn chairs. Please remember no alcoholic beverages or glass containers are allowed in the park.
Mark your calendars, the 2026 Music in the Park Free Concert Series is held Thursday, May 21 through Thursday, July 30. That's eleven impressive shows in our 2026 Best of Labette County, "Best Live Music Venue" series! The concerts are located at the Seaton Family Pavilion in Forest Park, 204 S. 13th St., Parsons, Kansas and are scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m., however times may be adjusted due to inclement weather (heat or rain). Severe weather conditions will cancel concerts. Concessions will be available beginning at 6:30 pm or sooner. Outsider's Tacos and More will be a featured vendor once again this year as well as other food vendors to be announced. Plan to make it an evening of food and music!
For more information phone (620) 421-7032, visit parsonsks.com, or our Facebook page "Music in the Park Concert Series - Parsons, Kansas." Please check the Music in the Park Parsons Kansas Facebook page or call the Events and Media Director's office (620) 421-7032 for current, up-to-date information, and check show dates, times, artists, and any changes before traveling any distance.
2026 MUSIC IN THE PARK CONCERT SERIES
THURSDAY, MAY 21 - THE DILLON LEGGETT BAND (COUNTRY)
THURSDAY, MAY 28 - COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA
THURSDAY, JUNE 4 - LEFT OF CENTER & ROCKSTAR KARAOKE (VARIETY AND LIVE BAND KARAOKE)
THURSDAY, JUNE 11 - WANDA WATSON (BLUES)
THURSDAY, JUNE 18 - LAUREN-ASHLEY (POP, SOUL, R&B)
THURSDAY, JUNE 25 - DREAMSCAPE 88'S (DUELING PIANOS)
SATURDAY, JULY 4 - COMMUNITY BAND (PATRIOTIC CELEBRATION)
THURSDAY, JULY 9 - ELWOOD AND THE BLUES MASTERS (AN HOMAGE TO THE BLUES BROTHERS)
THURSDAY, JULY 16 - TOM PEVEAR & THE BACKYARD BAND (FOLK, BLUEGRASS & AMERICANA)
THURSDAY, JULY 23 - SHIPROCKED (YACHT ROCK)
THURSDAY, JULY 30 - HOWARD MAHAN AND FRIENDS (ROCK, ROOTS & BLUES)
