Summer in Mission Hills

Annual concert series, Fourth of July celebration return to Pioneer Park

By Anthony King | SDUN Editor

(l to r) Frans van der Lee and Chip Breitenkamp, last year’s Mission Hills BBQ Competition winners, will return to defend their trophy this year. (Courtesy Our Mission Hills)

To some, summer in Mission Hills officially starts Friday, June 21 with the launch of the successful Summer Concerts in the Park series, quickly followed by the Fourth of July Extravaganza: a patriotic community celebration highlighted by a parade through the neighborhood, the popular BBQ Competition and more good, live music.

“The 2013 Mission Hills Concerts in the Park series offers a free Friday night activity where neighbors and friends can enjoy this family-friendly event that offers a wide array of music genres,” said Lara Evans, Mission Hills Town Council president.

The Town Council sponsors and organizes the concert series with the Mission Hills Main Street Foundation, which began the series 20 years ago. The shows are from 6 – 8 p.m. each Friday through Aug. 23 – except for the week of July Fourth, which is on a Thursday – and are staged at Pioneer Park, adjacent to Grant Elementary and near the intersection of Randolph Street and Washington Place.

Patty Ducey-Brooks of the Mission Hills Foundation said they are grateful for the community support and partnership with the Town Council, as well as the Mission Hills Business Improvement District (BID).

“We’ve seen significant improvements in the concert series and the outreach efforts. It’s a wonderful celebration of community and a legacy for future generations,” Ducey-Brooks said.

While not organizing the events, the business district and the Mission Hills BID are also involved with the concert series and Fourth of July event. BID Executive Director Gerrie Trussel said they are “thrilled to have this caliber of great weekly entertainment” in Mission Hills.

Near the middle of the Summer Concerts schedule is the Fourth of July Extravaganza celebration, also at Pioneer Park. The daylong event starts at 10:30 a.m. with a community parade heading out from the park and meandering through the neighborhood’s streets, followed by games and prizes in the park at 11:30 a.m. Participants – the parade is open to all – are encouraged to dress in patriotic colors for a costume contest.

“The park is full of excitement and energy by the people celebrating our country’s independence,” Evans said. “Spirits are high with everyone decked out in red, white and blue as the community comes together for this important day.”

A key component to the Extravaganza is the annual BBQ Competition, taking place from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Now in its third year, the contest is limited to seven teams who will cook a minimum of three full briskets however they see fit, organizers said. The sauce must be homemade.

Last year’s contest winners, with judging done in a “People’s Choice” voting style, were Frans van der Lee and Chip Breitenkamp. Not affiliated with any restaurant, the pair “just like to barbeque,” they said after the win. While last year saw teams prepare barbeque pork, this year the competition has changed.

“After doing pulled pork for two years, the … teams competing this Fourth of July … are excited to be smoking beef brisket,” van der Lee said. “As always, Mission Hills Town Council members can not only enjoy the delicious barbeque, but also the showmanship and smack-talking amongst the competitors.”

Tastings for the barbeque contest are limited to Town Council members, however family memberships will be available the day of the event for $20. Sponsors for this year’s Extravaganza are Whole Foods Market, Sadie Rose Baking Co. and Phil’s BBQ.

Following the barbeque contest will be a concert in the park – part of the Summer Concerts series – where the band Dr. Elvis will perform from 12 – 2 p.m. Families are encouraged to bring a blanket and snacks, and food boxes will also be available for purchase from local restaurants.

“At night, residents head to the various neighborhood vista points to watch the fireworks light up the bay,” promoters said. “It’s a great way to celebrate the holiday with your neighbors.”

(l to r) Steve Denyes and Brendan Kremer of Hullabaloo (Courtesy Hullabaloo)

But before the Fourth of July Extravaganza arrives, the concert series kicks off June 21 with a family band extremely popular with Mission Hills parents and children: Hullabaloo. This child-friendly band focuses on authentic music as entertainment, instead of gimmick-laden and, to some, annoying kids’ music.

“A lot of parents raised on rock ‘n’ roll have a hard time down shifting to singing dinosaurs and hamsters and, frankly, we don’t blame them,” the Hullabaloo website says. “We’re proud to be part of a growing number of artists that have found a way to honor and entertain kids without making their parents want to jump out of a moving mini-van.”

If there is any question of the band’s popularity, look no further than their recent appearance at the Mission Hills Branch Library to help launch their summer reading program. Branch manager Stephen Wheeler said the Hullabaloo concert Monday, June 17 brought approximately 150 children and 75 adults to the library.

“The Mission Hills Library and the Pioneer Park shows are two of our all-time favorites,” said Steve Denyes, who plays guitar and sings for Hullabaloo. Cajon percussionist and vocalist Brendan Kremer joins Denyes in the band.

“The library is always jam packed with people from the neighborhood and kids from the local schools. We all squeeze into the corner of the library to sing, dance and stomp our feet,” Denyes said. “There’s not much elbow room, but we always have a good time.”

Yet for the opening concert of the series, Denyes said they are excited to return to Pioneer Park, solidifying the connection once again to the neighborhood.

“The park is a great contrast because people can spread out, enjoy a family picnic and a little music as the sun sets,” he said. “We look forward to it all year.”

Following Hullabaloo, the Friday concert schedule includes Zydeco Patrol, Ballad Monger, Y3K, Breezn, Hot Pstromi, High Society, Jackstraws and Cygnet Theatre. Dr. Elvis, part of the series, performs Thursday, July 4 at the Extravaganza.

For more information on the Summer Concert Series, Fourth of July Extravaganza and BBQ Competition, visit missionhillstowncouncil.org, missionhillsmsfoundation.org or ourmissionhills.com. Evans can be reached at [email protected].