.png.jpg)
Friends of Little Falls, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting improvements in the South Lewis County City of Vader, will host a “Stage Raising Fundraiser Concert” at McMurphy Park on Saturday, Sept. 28.
Proceeds from the concert will go toward building a permanent stage at the park, located at 607 Annonen Road in Vader.
The concert is a family-friendly, “music at the park-style rock concert” featuring artists Two Minute Miracle and Fallen Pillars.
“These bands are regional favorites, and Friends of Little Falls has arranged professional stage lighting and audio for what should be a blowout show,” Vader Mayor Joe Schey said in an email to The Chronicle.
The event, Schey said, is “a proof of concept to showcase what our park can offer the region as a destination concert venue.”
The City of Vader Parks Board has a three-phase development plan for McMurphy Park. Phase one includes building a small RV area with hookups that would allow for a permanent security park host, and a large restroom with showers.
“For Phase One, the city has applied for funds through the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office. We've ranked 23 in the state for our project and will know in a couple of months if this $630,000 project is funded,” Schey said.
Phase two involves building a large event pavilion overlooking the creek, two small playground areas and a smaller restroom closer to the creek.
Phase three, which the proceeds from Saturday’s concert will help fund, will finish out the project with the construction of an amphitheater at the base of the hill with expanded paved parking throughout the park.
“We hope to fill the park with concert-goers and build anticipation for many more events into the future,” Schey said of the Sept. 28 event.
The concert is $15 per person to attend and goes from 7 to 11 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m.
Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets to sit on the hill.
