Record heat doesn't temper turn out to concert series

More than 400 of them came, bringing their lawn chairs, beverages and picnic dinners for an evening of jazz at the seat of the state government.

Despite temperatures in the 90s, it was the largest attendance for an opening concert since the program started. The Mile High Jazz Band was the performer for the first of six concerts on the Legislative Plaza on Sunday night.

"This is always a great series of concerts, you figure with the temperatures, people will come down to the Legislative Plaza for the shade to cool off," said Kevin Ray, special events coordinator for Carson City. "A lot of people wait for this every year. They are looking forward to the kickoff concert all summer."

The series is put on by Carson City Redevelopment Authority and features a new band every Sunday for six weeks. The concerts start at 5 p.m. and generally run about an hour and a half.

Isabelle and Irving Bass make the trip from Dayton every Sunday to stake out their favorite shady spot.

"We've been coming here for years. It's cool to sit out here and listen to good music," Isabelle said.

Linda Omey, of Carson City, said the concerts and activities are what gives the capital city its personality.

"It makes Carson what it is. Carson is a big small town and we like that small town feel and it's things like this that give it that feel," Omey said.

Ray said the redevelopment authority funds the series as a way to get people downtown and using the services Carson City has to offer.

"A lot of people go to the local restaurants and get to-go orders and then do a picnic in the park. That's what we want is people to come downtown and take advantage of what it has to offer," Ray said.

Don and Lynn Hunter, of Minden, brought their picnic to the park and were set up underneath one of the parks bigger trees.

"We've been coming to concerts in Carson for a long time," Lynn said. "This is a great place for concerts with the trees and the whole area."

• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.