With several new security measures already planned for the 2024 TGIF Concerts in the Parks season, the City Council decided Tuesday not to proceed with a ticketing or registration process for this summer’s events. Also on Tuesday, staff provided an update on concert planning, including announcing the dates and locations of the nine concerts this summer:
Stagecoach Community Park
June 21
June 28
July 5
July 12
Calavera Hills Community Park
July 19
July 26
Aug. 2
Alga Norte Community Park
Aug. 9
Aug. 16
Poinsettia Community Park was dropped from the lineup this year because other parks were better suited to security needs, such as the ability to establish a clear event perimeter with controlled access points, the size and location of the fields, and other issues related to the park’s configuration.
The City Council also approved an ordinance Tuesday that allows for security screening of concert attendees. This will include screening adults and teens with a metal detector wand and checking bags for weapons. Alcohol, glassware, cutlery and other picnic supplies will continue to be allowed.
Why the changes?
At the City Council’s Dec. 12, 2023, meeting, Police Chief Mickey Williams recommended bringing the popular summer concerts into better alignment with safety planning for other major public events. At that meeting, the City Council approved a list of security improvements that were based on best practices for major public events.
According to Police Captain Reid Shipley, the city’s goal is to retain the overall community feel of the concerts while acknowledging that safety needs at large public events have evolved in recent years.
More information about the 2024 season, including the band line up, will be announced in May.
