Free concerts to be held at new amphitheater

A little over two years ago, the Canyon Lake Fine Arts Guild initiated a proposal to the POA for an outdoor amphitheater at Holiday Harbor Park. To validate the demand for such a facility, the Fine Arts Guild sponsored a free summer concert on that very hillside. The concert featured the Fleetwood Mac tribute “Little Lies Band” and by all accounts was a successful event with nearly 1, 000 Canyon Lakers in attendance.

That day at Holiday Harbor Park, the Jr. Women’s Club sold adult beverages and arranged for vendors in their EzUps to line the upper grounds of the park.

The Family Matters Club staffed the snack bar and provided a bounce house with games for the children. The Fine Arts Guild provided a second band to entertain the pre-concert activities, arranged for the necessary security services and for Marine Patrol to monitor the boats anchored in the lake behind the stage.

Since then, the proposal was enthusiastically accepted by the POA and the Fine Arts Guild delivered a donation of $25,000 as a way of giving back to the community. The amphitheater is now complete and ready for a summer of community activities, including concerts, movies and other special events.

“This is truly one of the finest venues in the entire Inland Empire,” said Guild President Ron Martel. “We should be very proud it is right here in our own backyard.”

This summer, three free concerts will be held at the new amphitheater, starting with the POA’s concert on June 8 at 7:30 p.m., featuring the energetic Top 40s cover band “Siren’s Crush.” Canyon Laker Makayla Phillips, fresh off of “America’s Got Talent,” also is performing at this event.

To further promote music in the community, the Fine Arts Guild is sponsoring two free summer concerts. “Margaritaville by the Lake,” featuring the Jimmy Buffett tribute band “Stars on the Water,” will be held on Saturday, June 29. Starting at 8 p.m. this San Diego based band will spend the evening playing TropRock (tropical rock and roll), fun music by Jimmy Buffett, The Beach Boys, Eagles and more.

The second free concert sponsored by the Fine Arts Guild will be held under the stars on Aug. 10 and will feature “Jumping Jack Flash,” a Rolling Stones tribute band. The band wowed the Canyon Lake audience at the lodge a few years ago in “The Beatles vs Stones.”

“We invite everyone to come a little early to watch the sunset while picnicking on the lawn before watching the concert under the nighttime skies,” said Guild Activities Director Bonnie Dubbs. The Guild expects to provide food trucks on site starting about 6 p.m. A section will be reserved for Guild Patrons and Sponsors.

Canyon Lakers are urged to arrive early at these events as seating is likely to fill up fast. Attendees may bring low beach chairs, beach towels, snacks and coolers. Food and beverages will be available for purchase at some of the summer events scheduled at this new venue.