Photo:  The Moffat Tunnel Band played live Tuesday night in the KFFR studio for Fraser’s first virtual Picnic in the Park      Photo courtesy of the Town of Fraser

This spring, faced with a reduction in sales tax revenues due to COVID-19, the Fraser Board of Trustees worked through their budget to identify expenses that could be cut, or put off to the future. During the process, the board stood firm on hosting Tuesday’s “Picnic in the Park”. A local favorite, the event features local musicians playing two-hour sets from 6-8 pm every Tuesday through late August.

The trustees recognized that hosting the event at Town Park would not work, due to social distancing requirements. Marketing and Economic Development Manager Sarah Wieck looked at alternate venues located around town to no avail. 

Partnering with Steve Skinner of community radio station KFFR 88.3 FM and Andy Straus of Hunker Down Productions, the Town of Fraser found a way to host the events virtually. 

On Tuesday night, June 30, the first virtual event went live, with the Moffat Tunnel Band playing live in the KFFR studio. The Town’s newly created Picnic in the Park Facebook page shared the event live, and KFFR 88.3 FM also streamed and broadcast to listeners. Viewers and listeners were thrilled to once again be a part of the live music scene in the Fraser Valley.

The event is sponsored by Fraser Ace Hardware, and several local breweries and restaurants hosted viewing parties, with plenty of the Town’s popular swag to giveaway.

Straus was instrumental in securing the musical acts for the weekly event. Here’s what the schedule looks like right now:

July 7:  Tara Rose

July 14:  Gary Key

July 21: Steve Skinner Band

July 28:  Tight Like That

August 4:  Funky Stuff

August 11:  Matt Brown and Friends

August 18:  Hunker Down

August 25:  TBD

The Town is hopeful that restrictions might be lifted so that some of the events can still be held in the Park this summer, but if not, there is always next year!