BIDDEFORD – Music in the Park, that takes place most Wednesdays in the summer in Biddeford, has been a draw to downtown  since the program began in 2009. This year, downtown revitalization organization Heart of Biddeford, which puts on the music series started experiment by expanding Music in the Park to four different parks, in previous years all the concerts took place at Shevenell Park on Main Street. This experiment has met with great success, according to HOB Director Delilah Poupre.

“The number of attendees has doubled this summer, and we’re seeing a broader range of folks attending,” Poupore said. “The goal of  Music in the Park has been to bring people together from across Biddeford to enjoy music in Biddeford’s underutilized downtown park. After 10 years, we felt it was time to expand that goal to introduce people to more of the beautiful parks in this city.”

So far this summer, fans of music and warm summer breezes have enjoyed the alt-folk band SnugHouse, David Gerald’s blues band from Detroit, the ever-popular Alumni Band, and the Portland-area Ska band,  El Grande.

“Families — and really folks of all ages — have been having a great time. At last week’s event, one 94-year old woman was delighted by the rocking Ska band out of Portland, El Grande,” Poupore said.

In addition, she said, “Music in the Park creates more positive, family-friendly events in Biddeford — something that just wasn’t happening a lot in Biddeford 10 years ago. This increase in positive activities downtown benefits the community and the economy. Now, with the series occurring in four parks, we also add the benefit of increasing access to our parks. There’s quite a bit of research that shows that businesses and home values increase where there are green spaces and positive community events. Similarly, there’s research that shows people who spend time in green spaces, volunteer and interact with others receive all kinds of health benefits, including stress reduction. The more people who are out enjoying Biddeford, the more everyone benefits.”

The next two bands will highlight two more music genres. On Wednesday, July 17, Girls Just Want to Have Fun will bring their hits of the 1980s to Mechanics Park, then Sabouyouma, based in Vermont,  will bring their Afro-Funk rhythms to Rotary Park, on the sandy beach on the Saco River. Sabouyouma is led by Guinean-born Ousmane Camara, the band’s front man, composer, and master Balafonist (the Balafon is a West-African marimba).

“We’re excited to be able to bring exciting live music to more people in Biddeford this summer,” Poupore said. “Our sponsors, Bangor Savings Bank and Angelrox/Suger both felt this series would be a great way to get people in Biddeford together to celebrate summer and all that’s going on here in town. An additional grant from the Fritz and Susan Onion Foundation specifically enabled us to bring a few touring bands from out of state, like David Gerald and Sabouyouma.”

Roxi Suger of Angelrox/Suger said she was happy to help sponsor the concert series. “We are always excited to support HOB and sponsor events what that brings our community together. The concert series is a great way to celebrate summer, be outdoors, enjoy live music, appreciate talented artists and add spirit and good vibes to our downtown.”

Music in the Park takes place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays through Aug. 7. In addition to free live music in a beautiful park in or near Biddeford’s downtown, there is a food truck  at each event. Audience members are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs. On the final event in Shevenell Park, HOB’s Design Committee has organized a multi–cultural potluck. Those who would like to bring items are encouraged to sign up through HOB. Funds are available to reimburse people who sign up to bring a potluck item but may need financial support to make it possible.

Information about all of the events can be found on www.heartofbiddeford.org and the organization’s Facebook page.

The remainder of the line-up for the summer is: Wed., July 17 Girls Just Want to Have Fun, ‘80’s Tribute, Mechanics Park; Wed., July 24 Sabouyouma, Afro-funk, Rotary Park; Wed., July 31 Luniere, original folk/rock, Clifford Park; and Wed., Aug. 7 Casco Bay Tummlers, klezmer, Shevenell Park (with multi-cultural potluck.)

The Heart of Biddeford in partnership with the City of Biddeford, the business community, property owners, and residents, fosters economic development and improves the downtown and quality of life within its boundaries by supporting existing businesses, attracting new businesses, promoting the downtown through events and working to beautify the urban core. Information about the organization and the concert series can be found at www.heartofbiddeford.org and on Heart of Biddeford’s Facebook page.