This is Chris Guggemos of Handshake Productions. I have had the enjoyment of producing the Deer Park Concert Series since its inception in 2004. In cooperation with Tom Edwards of Mill Valley Homes, Inc., Tom & I created the Deer Park Concert Series and brought free, quality music to the citizens of Deer Park. All told, there have been twenty seven concerts at Mix Park through the 2009 season. The music styles that have been performed included Big Band Swing Orchestra, Country-Western, Rock 'n Roll, Bluegrass, Dixieland Jazz, Rhythm & Blues, and more. The biggest surprise may have been the Bram Brata Steel Drum Orchestra. This orchestra of twenty plus high school students performed music on steel drums and there were over 300 people in attendance for their concert. The largest crowd was the Elvis tribute band that performed in 2006. Over 500 people attended this concert.
These concerts have been financed by selling sponsorships. The sponsorships paid all expenses: bands, advertising, production, etc. Tom Edwards took on the responsibility of selling these sponsorships and Tom sold many of the sponsorships with some help from myself. Because of the sponsorships, we never once asked the audience for money to pay for the concerts.
Tom recently informed me that he would not be available to sell the sponsorships for the 2010 concert series. After much thought, I have decided that I cannot perform the job of selling sponsorships. I informed Deer Park City Clerk Debbie Cragun on February 16, 2010, of my decision. Debbie informed me that she would look into other ways to sell sponsorships in the hope that the concert series can continue. Thus, my involvement in the Deer Park Concert Series is over.
I have had a great time producing the Deer Park Concert Series. I have made many friends through these concerts, including Mike and Ardith Evans. I would like to thank Cathy and Tom from the Deer Park Tribune for their support. Many thanks to Brian and Debbie from the City of Deer Park and Denny from the Deer Park Arts Commission for their help. Thanks to Tom Edwards and the many sponsors that financed these six years of concerts. And most importantly, thanks to you, the audiences that attended these wonderful concerts.
Deer Park, WA
