A relaxed Lakeland crowd came out on Saturday to celebrate the grand opening of the city’s new outdoor event stage at I.H. Park.
Guests pulled up their lawn chairs and got comfortable aroundt he stage to enjoy the live performances by school superintendent Dr. Ted Horrell and the Monday Night Card, followed on stage by The Dantones.
The city staff served free hot chocolate to ward off the chill, and Central Barbecue delivered hot fresh barbecue. There were also inflatables for children to climb on and enjoy.
The outdoor event stage was conceived by former commissioner Gene Torrey and Mayor Wyatt Bunker. Torrey was given the honors of cutting the ribbon during the cereony on stage.
The stage is situated with a view of the the park’s natural beauty with fall leaves and a five-acre fishing lake.
City leaders anticipate it will be the perfect setting for various activities, including outdoor concerts, weddings, theater, family movie nights, and other community events.
Torrey said of the stage, “I believe it will become a main gathering place and entertainment center for city events and many activities for its residents.”
There are future plans to include a terrace around the stage, party decks and permanent restroom facilities. Additional parking will be added while maintaining the natural beauty of the park.
Residents are also invited to help give the stage a permanent name. City hall is currently accepting stage name suggestions online at lakelandtn.gov/FormCenter/Parks–Recreation-3/Name-That-Stage-38.
