Bigfork’s Riverbend Concert Series continues tradition of music in the park

The Riverbend Concert Series in Bigfork is back for its 41st consecutive year in 2023 for a summer filled with local musical acts.

Started by Elna Darrow and a faithful group of volunteers in 1982, the Riverbend Concert Series draws close to 200 attendees to Everit L Sliter Memorial Park each Sunday during the summer.

“Elna started it and mostly funded it because she thought it would be a good idea to have some summer music here in Bigfork,” organizer JoAnn Dramer said. “She lined up those first bands and it has just grown and grown ever since.”

In those early days, the predecessor entity to the Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork collaborated with PacifiCorp and Flathead County to secure the property today known as Everit L Sliter Memorial Park.

Concerts were held on the grass and playbills were hand-written. Community member Donna Fraley recalls “Back in the early days, Elna would rush over the day of the concert for me to hand calligraphy the signs for the performers and the evening’s sponsors.”

With her passion for the project and a stubborn tendency to never take no for an answer from potential sponsors, Darrow helped the concert series grow.

At her urging, with a lot of help from the community, a band shell was erected to house the musical acts and is still used today.

The concert series continued on after Darrow’s death in 2009 when a group of steadfast volunteers, led by Charlotte French, continued the tradition.

When French turned 92 and began calling Rising Mountains Assisted Living home, she decided it was either time to call it quits or recruit a new group of volunteers. With the publicity that the concert series could possibly be having its last season in 2018, a new group of volunteers stepped up to continue the summer Sunday tradition.

In 2019, the Riverbend Concert Association was incorporated as a nonprofit. Currently, the association is led by a team of seven volunteers, including Dramer, Heidi and Don Miller, Stephanie and Dan Siddens, and Andrea and Bill Goudge.

Volunteer hosts ensure each concert runs smoothly.

The Sunday concerts have become a favorite for locals over the years, but it’s more than just people who enjoy the show.

“We have a very faithful attendance of dogs, all well-behaved,” JoAnn Dramer said. “They have to be on a leash, but some of them have become very good friends with each other over the years. In fact, up until its death last year, there was even a cat that attended with a lady every year.”

What started with a donation structure in the early days is now just $5 per person, with a season pass available for $30. Children age 12 and under get in free.

The proceeds go to help pay the bands, for the use of the park, the food and dessert vendors at each show and for insurance for the event.

“We are not here to make money doing this, we just want to provide the people with some entertainment,” JoAnn Dramer said.

This year’s events get underway with John Dunnigan and Gary Snow on June 25 with a double-feature of Hannah King and Michelle Rivers as the opening act followed by the Tommy Edwards Band on July 2.

Some of the performers in the 2023 lineup have performed for decades, like the Don Lawrence Orchestra on July 23, but new acts help keep the music line-up fresh.

Reggae band, Roots Uprising, led by Jay Aiken, performs for the first time this season on July 16.

The concerts are held every Sunday from the end of June until the end of August at 7 p.m. The July 2 concerts begin at 5 and 9 p.m. at Everit Sliter Memorial Park’s Riverbend Stage.

Volunteers encourage attendees to bring chairs or blankets, a picnic, a pet – on leash – and good humor.

Check Facebook or BigforkConcerts.com if the weather looks inclement for rescheduling.

“This has truly become a wonderful community event that is run by volunteers that want to see it continue,” JoAnn Dramer said. “That’s what we are doing and what we plan to keep doing.”

2023 Riverbend Concert Series lineup and food vendors:

June 25 John Dunnigan and Gary Snow (Montana Mtn. Dawgs and Sugar Rush)

July 2 Hannah King and Michelle Rivers/Tommy Edwards Band (Atomic Tacos and Sugar Rush)

July 9 Bad Larrys (Montana Mtn. Dawgs and Sugar Rush)

July 16 Roots Uprising (Dancing Burro and Goat Ice Cream)

July 23 Don Lawrence Orchestra (Cocobana and Goat Ice Cream)

July 30 Jamie Wymann Band (Struggling Chef Catering and Goat Ice Cream)

Aug. 6 Tom Catmull (Montana Mtn. Dawgs and Sugar Rush)

Aug. 13 Mike Murry Duo (Atomic Tacos and Goat Ice Cream)

Aug. 20 Angel and Davey (Wild Child and Sugar Rush)

Aug. 27 John Floridis and Jennifer Slayden (Montana Mtn. Dawgs and Goat Ice Cream)