Mount Baker Park concert brings neighbors together

Hundreds of people flocked to Mount Baker on Sunday, Aug. 17, for a free concert in Mount Baker Park organized by a local family with support from area businesses. Susan Byrnes and E.J. Gong, who live close to the park with their two children, started the annual tradition last summer when they launched ParkTunes. This year's concert was even bigger with a higher turn out than the inaugural one.

Four bands entertained the concertgoers with a fun mix of folk, rock, marimba and Cuban music. People brought wagons loaded with picnics, tossed Frisbees, played with dogs and made an evening of the event. Children ran around playing on the nearby jungle gym and danced to the music.

The bands included Connor Desai, Willows End, the Anzanga Marimba Ensemble and SuperSones. Several of the band members live in the neighborhood.

"We started this concert because we love this neighborhood," said E.J. Gong, who moved with his wife to the South End nearly a decade ago. "What better way to celebrate the community than by bringing people together on a summer evening to hear great music?"

Local business sponsors include Mioposto, Dog Mania, Kohl Construction, and Windermere Real Estate.[[In-content Ad]]