Concerts in the Park Return Home to Riverside Park
There are certain moments that remind us what makes Grants Pass special. The news that Concerts in the Park will return to Riverside Park is one of them.
The Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce recently announced that the City Council has unanimously approved their application to bring the concert series back to its original location. We at Main Street Grants Pass want to take a moment to say thank you—to the Chamber, to City leadership, and to the Parks Department—for working together to make this happen.
This is a victory for the entire community. And it’s the kind that doesn't come from one meeting or one vote—it comes from years of persistence, trust-building, and shared belief in the power of public space.
A Beloved Tradition Comes Home
For decades, Concerts in the Park has offered free summer evenings filled with live music, families on picnic blankets, and friends catching up as the sun goes down. Riverside Park—shaded by trees, near the Rogue River, and close to the heart of downtown—has always been the event’s spiritual home.
While temporary locations have kept the music going, the return to Riverside Park marks something more: a reconnection with place, memory, and community rhythm.
The concerts will now take place near the Pavilion at the front of the park while planning continues for a permanent bandshell in the lower festival area. It's a creative interim solution that honors the past while making way for future improvements.
Persistence, Partnership, and Local Leadership
Anyone who’s worked on a public event series knows these things don’t just happen. They require coordination, funding, permits, and, most of all, belief. The Chamber never lost sight of the importance of bringing the concerts back to Riverside Park. Their leadership, persistence, and vision made this return possible.
We also want to recognize the role of the City of Grants Pass—from the Council’s unanimous approval to the staff at the Parks Department—for supporting this move. It's a great example of what local collaboration looks like when it’s working well.
Events like this don’t just bring people together—they remind us how important it is to work together. That’s a message worth amplifying.
Looking Ahead: Community Opportunities
As the Chamber moves into the planning phase for the 2025 series, there are a number of opportunities for the community to get involved.
Sponsorships are essential to keeping this event free and accessible. If your business or organization wants to be associated with a summer tradition that brings thousands of people to the park, reach out. Sponsorship levels are designed to fit a variety of budgets.
Vendors are welcome, with thoughtful coordination to ensure a good mix of offerings and no product overlap. It’s a great chance for local food trucks, makers, and nonprofits to be part of the experience.
The National Anthem will be performed at each concert, and the Chamber is currently seeking singers, groups, or choirs willing to audition for the honor. It’s a moment of pride—and a memorable way to give back.
For more details, contact Christie Swafford at (541) 226-3101 or by email at cswafford@grantspasschamber.org.
The Importance of Public Events in Public Parks
As we reflect on the return of Concerts in the Park, it’s worth stepping back to consider why these kinds of events matter.
They aren’t just about music. They’re about place. They’re about familiarity, comfort, and connection. They’re about bringing kids and grandparents, neighbors and friends, out into the open—to sit on the grass, dance to a favorite song, and experience something together.
These moments build memories. They also build trust—in our city, in each other, and in the idea that good things can still happen when we all work in the same direction.
At a time when many towns are struggling to keep public traditions alive, Grants Pass is doing something remarkable: returning to its roots while looking forward.
A Note of Thanks
To the Chamber: thank you for not giving up. Your consistency and dedication to our community are seen and appreciated.
To the City: thank you for saying yes, and for recognizing the value that public events bring to our parks and downtown.
To the many volunteers, sponsors, and organizers who will soon bring this series to life again: we can’t wait to see the lights, hear the music, and feel that sense of shared joy.
And to our neighbors: mark your calendars for summer 2025. We’ll see you at the park—just like old times.