Local country band Trailer Park Twisters opened the first-ever La Grange Country Music Jam on August 10, playing almost two hours before a steadily growing audience at Gordon Park.
The event was admission-free and sponsored by the Park District of La Grange, with the band starting at 2 p.m., playing country classics from Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, and Waylon Jennings.
“We are honored to open the first-ever Country Jam, and it was awesome,” Connie Cipher, vocalist and rhythm guitarist said after the set. “I think it’s really cool that we have these pockets of country music in the Chicago area. Country has a special place in my heart, so I’m glad to be here.”
TPT performed country classics like Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” Waylon Jennings’ “Good Hearted Woman,” and “Ain’t That America,” by John Mellencamp.
And early visitors appreciated them.
“Oh, I am a country music fan, mostly Bluegrass, ” Brookfield resident Kathleen Cecconi said., noting that she had just returned from Nashville, where she attended shows at the iconic Ryman Auditorium. “I just saw Vince Gill and he played for four hours … I love good music and Nashville was just out of this world.”
One man who described himself as “just Peter” from La Grange Park talked about the discontinued Endless SummerFest and how the Country Jam was a good replacement.
“They’ve had this festival that was a two-day fest for the last 10-15 years, and I think this is kind of a paired-down version of that,” he said. “I like a lot of country music, but I also like a lot of rock and roll music … country and rock and blues.”
Where Trailer Park Twisters opened to about 100 people, the crowd grew steadily throughout their set; by the time main act Wildfire took the stage at 5:30 p.m., there were a least 1,000 people in attendance. And with music-lovers coming and going throughout the day, the total could easily have doubled that.
Wildfire played until 8 p.m., offering a variety of country classics, like Alabama’s “Play Me Some Mountain Music,” and “Ex’s and Oh’s” by Elle King.
Wildfire vocalist Sam Scalamera was a substitute for the set, normally performing 1980s classic rock. But she was excited to take part in the inaugural Country Jam.
“I don’t usually sing country, but I’m really loving it,” she said. “It is super fun … it’s been a blast. I really love these guys.”
La Grange Park resident Teri Ullrich is a country music fan whose tastes run from Miranda Lambert to Toby Keith.
“I’m a big Country music fan, and I like that this is close,” she said. “I hope they do it again. Usually, they do the end of summer thing, the carnival, but I never went to that.”
The Country Jam wasn’t close for Anna and Gordon Beeman, but they came from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to visit their children and wound up in Gordon Park with the rest of the country fans.
“I think this is a great idea,” Anna said. “It brings the community together.” Her husband added that “the music is great, the weather is good, and the music is not too loud.”
The Monk’s Burgers and More Food Truck provided food, as did Beach Avenue BBQ, Billy Bricks Wood Fired Pizza and Taqueria Mi Taquito.
Also on hand — and drawing the longest lines for service — was Milk Money Brewery, 75 S. La Grange Rd. Milk Money is the first-ever brewery in La Grange and the creators of a new beer specifically for the event, a Mexican lager titled “Showstopper.”
Park District officials were pleased with the turnout.
“We like to do special events that fit within our mission,” Jenny Bechtold, park district executive director said. “Keeping it local is something we’re really fond of also. We’re here for the community.”
Finding new partnerships within the community is a priority for the Park District.
Besides the Park District, local businesses also served as sponsors of the event, including La Grange Pointe Senior Living, Petty and Dragstrem Orthodontics, and Mathnasium.
“I’ve been in this position since December, so part of this is reaching out to places that have traditionally supported us, but also bringing in new community partners,” Katie Wagner, Park District marketing specialist, said. “Mathnasium has always been a big supporter, but we were able to bring in La Grange Pointe.”
For further information about the Park District of La Grange, including scheduled activities and upcoming events, visit the website, pdlg.org.
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
