Summer’s fun-loving free-for-all

Grab your kids and dogs and get ready to dance — a summer’s worth of free entertainment kicks off next week in Esther Short Park.

The Riverview Six to Sunset and Terry Lee Noon Hour concerts return to the park Wednesday and Thursday. Both of the series have grown increasingly popular over the years, with a performance by Stone in Love, a Journey cover band, topping out at about 8,000 attendees at one of the Six to Sunset events last summer.

“Last year we had incredible turnout all summer long,” said Stacey Donovan, special events manager for the city of Vancouver. “We even extended the (Six to Sunset) concert series this year because it did so well.”

In 2011, Six to Sunset averaged about 5,000 attendees per show. In 2012, that number jumped to about 7,000 attendees, and it looks like the numbers will continue to rise, she said.

The 2013 lineup adds a seventh act to what has been a six-show series with a performance by Lost Lander on Aug. 29.

“Our Wednesday, noon concerts are also doing well,” Donovan said. “We average about 1,000 people at each one of those.”

The Noon Hour series starts July 10 with a performance by the Vancouver Pops Orchestra.

That’s something Suzanne Hoots, who moved to Vancouver from California two years ago, said she’s looking forward to enjoying with her family.

“At noon there are a lot of parents and kids around,” Hoots said. “I’d like to grab a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken, toss out a blanket and enjoy. I love concerts in the park. I like to take my kids.”

On Thursday, July 11, Curtis Salgado will kick off the Six to Sunset series.

Lafa Baker, who lives in Vancouver and has gone to concerts in both series in the past, said she’s especially looking forward to his performance.

“That’s going to be crowded I bet,” Baker said. “He’s an impressive act.”

That’s not the end of the free entertainment, though. At 7 p.m. Friday, July 12, the city will launch the Friday Night Movies in the Park series, with a showing of “The Adventures of Tin Tin” in Esther Short Park.

The movie actually starts at 9 p.m. because it has to get dark first, but there will be plenty of activities and games for the kids before the showing, Donovan said.

“We’ve also expanded the number of parks we’ll be going to,” Donovan said. “Last year, we were at two parks. This year, we’ll be at four parks around town.”

Young football fans should really like the July 19 showing of “Little Giants” at the Marshall Community Center, she said.

Seattle Seahawks players Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman will sign autographs and participate in obstacle courses and other activities with the kids before the film.

The three series, which are mostly sponsor supported, cost about $50,000 each year, Donovan said.

“It brings money into the city,” Donovan said. “People stay for the concerts and go out to dinner or to local businesses afterwards. And they’re a great way to bring the community together, our residents and local retailers.”

This will be the 27th season of Six to Sunset, which was originally held in Waterworks Park, but moved to Esther Short Park in the summer of 2000.

“I think the series is a great addition to the park,” Baker said. “You’ve got music, food vendors, people can ride their bikes down and really enjoy the evening.”

Summer concerts in the park

What: Summer concerts Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Where: Esther Short Park, Eighth and Esther streets.

When: Riverview Six to Sunset Concerts are 6 to 8 p.m., July 11, 18 and 25 and Aug. 1, 8, 15 and 29. Terry Lee Noon Hour Concerts are July 10, 17, 24 and 31 and Aug. 7 and 14.

Cost: Free

Information: www.cityofvancouver.us/concerts or 360-487-8630

Riverview Six to Sunset Concert lineup

July 11: Curtis Salgado

July 18: Design

July 25: Patrick Lamb

Aug. 1: Flexor-T

August 8: Norman Sylvester

Aug. 15: The Gentlemen’s Club

Aug. 29: Lost Lander

Terry Lee Noon Hour Concert lineup

July 10: Vancouver Pops Orchestra

July 17: The New Iberians

July 24: Supadupa Marimba Brothers

July 31: Aaron Meyer

Aug. 7: Sarah Sackson-Holman

Aug. 14: Sugarcane

Camas Concerts in the Park

What: Free concert series

When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays

Where: Crown Park, Camas

Information: Camas Parks and Recreation, 360-834-5307

Camas Concerts in the Park lineup:

July 17: 133rd Army Band “Full Metal Racket”

July 24: The Rockaroos

July 31: David Cooley Band

Aug. 7: Conjunto Alegre

Aug. 14: Kevin Selfe and the Tornadoes

Friday Night Movies in the Park

What: Movie screenings at parks and venues around Vancouver

Where: Esther Short Park (Eighth and Esther streets), Marshall Community Center (McLoughlin Blvd. near Clark College), LeRoy Haagen Community Park (136th and Ninth streets in East Vancouver) and Fisher Basin (192nd and First streets in East Vancouver).

When: 7 p.m. July 12, 19 and 26 and Aug. 2, 9 and 16.

Cost: Free

Information: www.cityofvancouver.us/concerts or 360-487-8630

Friday Night Movies in the Park lineup

July 12: “The Adventures of Tin Tin,” Esther Short Park

July 19: “Little Giants,” Marshall Community Center, with Seattle Seahawks players Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman in attendance.

July 26: “Lorax,” LeRoy Haagen Community Park

Aug. 2: “Big Miracle,” LeRoy Haagen Community Park

Aug. 9: “Madagascar 3,” Fisher Basin

Aug. 16: “Rear Window,”

Sue Vorenberg: 360-735-4457; http://www.twitter.com/col_suevo; sue.vorenberg@columbian.com