Piper Road Spring Band draws crowd to Whitewater Arts Alliance concert

WHITEWATER — More than 150 guests gathered under the shade of sprawling trees or basked in 80-degree sunshine while enjoying live bluegrass music at the Savory Sounds summer concert held outside the Whitewater Arts Alliance on Thursday.

The five-series concert is at Flat Iron Park, 402 W. Main St., and each concert has a sponsor from the Whitewater community. Coburn sponsored the Piper Road Spring band for Thursday.

Trees surround the water fountain in the center of the park that provides ample shade for guests as they sit on benches, picnic tables, blankets and their own chairs.

The Piper Road Spring Band plays instruments such as the fiddle, mandolin, string bass, guitar and washboard. They are a regional bluegrass band with a strong following.

Janesville residents Patricia and Bob Reddell came up to Whitewater to enjoy one of their favorite bands.

“They used to play at Music at the Marv but they haven’t been there for a couple years. We didn’t even know about this concert before. This is also a really nice venue too,” Patricia said. “We’ve watched these guys for a long time. It’s ok to play hooky from work once in a while,” Bob chuckled.

The concerts are on Thursday afternoons at 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. The next bands are Amanecer y Mas, Hispanic music on July 18, which will have Hispanic food and Jimmy Sugarcane, Reggae fusion on July 25, which will have African food.

“The community has responded very positively to these concerts,” Gallery Director Kim Adams said. “It’s a nice variety of music.”

There’s a 50/50 raffle at every concert with half the money going to the winner and half the money going to the Whitewater Arts Alliance.

Each series has a food vendor, with Rocky Rococo Pizza and Pasta selling pizza, soda and water.

Other sponsors this year include: Fairhaven Senior Service, First Citizens State Bank, Premier Bank and Olm and Associates.