The City of Knox will hold its first concert in the park of the year tonight, but Mayor Dennis Estok told the city council Tuesday that it could also be the last, depending on the spread of COVID-19.
“I don’t feel comfortable anymore,” Estok told council members. “I mean, I felt comfortable two weeks ago about having a concert and everything else. I can tell you right now, when it hits kind of close to your family, then you really start to think twice about it. And if I could, I’d probably cancel the concert Saturday, probably, but it’s too late to do that. It’s been advertised. The band’s ready to go.”
The Jerry O’ Fonics Band will take the stage at Wythogan Park at 6:00 p.m., with strict social distancing guidelines in place for the audience. Estok noted that those who attended last month’s movie in the park did a great job of following the city’s directions, “But that’s parents looking after their children. Now, you’re going to have adults looking after adults. That’s going to be a different story.”
Residents are asked not to enter the city’s parks if they have a fever, cough, or shortness of breath.
Estok said the two bands that are currently scheduled to perform next month have agreed to let the city cancel with no penalty, if officials choose to do so. The concert at the September 19 Fall Bash is expected to go ahead, though. Knox was awarded a $3,000 grant to have the band Magic Bus perform.
Meanwhile, Estok said this year’s second and final movie in the park will take place this coming Wednesday. Frozen 2 will be shown at 8:30 p.m. at the Wythogan Park performance stage.
