Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Martt Clupper was given permission to bring his "Pro-Life Concert" to Central Park when he appeared before the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Board Tuesday.
Clupper, who has organized the event for two years, presented a list of bands scheduled to play and outlined the event's program.
In the past the all-day concert has been held at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds because he wanted a paying audience.
This year he decided to solicit donations to pay for the bands' appearances.
"I would have preferred Central Park to present the concert free of charge all along," he said.
Proceeds will go to Heartline Pregnancy Support Centers.
Clupper, who owns and operates the Listen Up music store on Buffalo Street, said the concert is geared toward teen-agers to people in their late 20s.
"It's music like they're used to," he said of the roster of Christian-oriented bands, "but without the destructive message."
Board member Bob Richmond asked if the bands could be something besides rock 'n' roll.
Clupper said most of them have a rock beat but they are in praise of God and worship-oriented.
Bands scheduled to appear are Skillet, Not the Joneses, Sammy Ward, Purifire, Emissary and Obsession.
The bands would be allowed to sell their merchandise, and items from Clupper's store, including official event T-shirts, would be available for purchase.
The event, scheduled for May 20, was unanimously approved.
Activities director Andy McCleary advised the board the City of Lakes Festival will be June 22 through 24.
He said the band Avalon, sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church of Warsaw, will play Friday night, and Herman's Hermits will perform Saturday as part of the park's annual Classic Rock Concert.
The YMCA is sponsoring a three-on-three basketball tournament Saturday along with a volleyball tournament, the Boy Scouts' Cubmobile races and a Penguin Point-sponsored Big Wheel competition. A parade through downtown ending at Central Park also is planned.
McCleary said certain events will continue on Sunday.
The activities director said not a lot has happened regarding the greenway project, now in its fourth year of development. He said he will attend an Indiana Trails and Greenway Project Conference in Indianapolis next week.
"It may take a couple of years," he said, "but we'll get it done."
The board approved park director John Garber's request to give the YMCA $5,000 to help with programming during the family carnival and day camp activities at Lucerne Park.
The director said Warsaw will host the May 9 Northern Indiana Parks and Recreation District meeting in the pavilion. A tour of the park and recreation sites is planned.
Park board members are Bill Baldwin, Cathy Folk, Jeff Grose, Bob Richmond, John Sadler and Toby Sumpter.
