Come one, come all — Burgers, Bands & Brews is Saturday!
Tracy’s new look Central Park will be inundated Saturday — as long as Mother Nature allows — when the town’s popular annual Burgers, Bands & Brews event takes place. Summer might not officially begin for a couple weeks, but it’s never too early to start celebrating and taking in all the changes to the park.
“I think we’ve hit on something that’s well-attended and popular,” Tracy Community Development Director Tom Dobson said. “I think it’s the right time of the year — school is just out, it’s nice out … we’re well past winter, and it’s the time where people want to get out and see their neighbors.”
Once again, the event is free to the public. That means free fun for the kids and free musical entertainment for the adults. The only costs are for the fare from the food trucks and a beer or two. Of course, Lions burgers are also on the menu for a freewill donation..
“We’re always trying to make it affordable,” Dobson said. “We’re very grateful for the Lions coming out and doing the burgers, which really makes it affordable for families.”
Proceeds from the Lions burgers will go toward the Tracy Area Community Foundation.
“We appreciate them coming out and serving and contributing,” said Dobson.
The band Time after Time is back by popular demand, as is Eric James and Kayla Daniels. James takes the bandshell stage at 4 p.m., followed by Daniels at 5:30 p.m. and Time After Time to wrap things up.
Time After Time is a seven-piece rock and pop band from Twin Cities that provides a unique brand of entertainment that fuses ‘80s synth and powerful vocals and harmonies, with a pop and rock trip through the ‘80s.
The fun starts at 3 p.m. when the bouncy houses open.
“Between the new playground equipment and the bouncy houses, the kids will have plenty to do,” Dobson said.
Dobson said the City is only able to keep BB&B a free event is because of the businesses who sponsor the annual event.
“Year after year, they have stepped up,” he said. “We’ve been very, very fortunate that they have stepped up throughout the years. That covers the bands and a lot of the other costs to the event. We’re very grateful.”
BB&B has turned out to be more than just a musical event — it’s developed into a reason for people to get out and see other people and, in some cases, meet people for the very first time.
“Last year, there were a lot of people that I had never seen before,” said Dobson. “That’s probably the biggest reason we do it. It’s fun for all of us, but if we can get people out and meeting their neighbors … this is a way we can get people plugged in.”
