By Rick Wright

Staff Writer

 Free music, blue skies and a party in the park have become a summer tradition in South Portland. 

Nearly 200 people turned out last week to hear the Bob Charest Band in Mill Creek Park, where families have gathered for at least two decades to enjoy the city’s annual concert series.  

This year’s lineup includes five concerts every Wednesday through Aug. 17. The concerts are from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and are free and open to the public.

“I think this is perfect. I think this is great. It brings everybody together and it’s a great thing. The fact that it’s free is even better. It’s taxpayer money well spent,” said Zach Trzaska of Cape Elizabeth.

Trzaska was accompanied by his wife, Amy, and their 2-year old son, Bowden. They’ve been coming to Mill Creek concerts for three years.

This year, South Portland spent about $4,000 to subsidize the summer concert series, according to Bill Cary, the city’s recreation superintendent. 

“People really seem to enjoy the variety of music that we offer and the fact that they are free,” Cary said. 

The concerts in Mill Creek Park have been offered by the city for more than 20 years, according to Jen DeRice, who ran the programs for eight years before changing jobs.

DeRice of South Portland, was at last week’s concert as a spectator. DeRice said she planned to come to several concerts this summer, but attended last week because she was especially interested in the group on the schedule.

“The Bob Charest Band is a great band so I didn’t want to miss them. I came specifically for them,” DeRice said.

Barbara Watson of Portland and her brother, Ed DePeter, from Largo, Fla., were among faces in the crowd. Watson said the Bob Charest Band was her favorite but she also liked the Don Campbell Trio, which is scheduled to play in the park Aug. 4.

What does she like best about coming to the concerts?

 “The atmosphere,” said Watson. “Look at how beautiful it is here.”

The Bob Charest Band was set up on a stage in front of the new gazebo, now under construction and scheduled to be finished by Aug. 1.

The seven-member group moved from one musical genre to another. Its repertoire included pop, country and swing tunes.

“This Kiss” by country singer Faith Hill and the World War II classic “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B” were crowd favorites.

South Portland residents Paul Lesneski and his wife, Jeannie, brought their dog Sammy, a Lhasa Apso. It was their first concert at the park in two years and also were drawn by the Bob Charest Band.

“We love them,” said Paul Lesneski. “We got an e-mail. I’m on their mailing list. So we decided to come down.”

Marla Burt, a South Portland resident, was at the park with her 2-year old daughter, Evelyn and her son, Owen, 4.

Burt said she comes to nearly every concert because it gives her kids a chance to play and listen to music. “It’s really a family event,” Burt said.