Music in the Park
2026 Summer Concerts
The M.A.R.S.S. Music in the Park events all take place at the Stockton Township Memorial Park on US 20 next to the high school (600 N Pearl St, Stockton, IL 61085). The concerts start at 6 pm and run until about 8 pm.
Admission to the Music in the Park concerts is free, but we will have donation jars available and hope you will contribute in order to help us bring more musical events to Stockton.
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There will be at least one food truck at each concert - come hungry and ready to eat!
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Music is performed outdoors, so please dress for the weather. There is limited seating available on cold, hard, wooden picnic tables - we recommend you bring your own comfy chair. And maybe bring some bug spray, too.
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All summer concerts take place rain or shine! In case of bad weather we will move inside the Park House (the building behind the Civil War monument, south of the pool) or inside the school.
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The 2026 dates are:
June 19
July 10
July 24
August 14
Scroll down for band names, photos, and a description of their music. See you soon!
Groove Hotel
June 19, 2026, 6 pm
Stockton Park
Groove Hotel has been playing in the Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin area for more than a decade. Consistently recognized with numerous Rockford Area Music Industry (RAMI) awards, the group is a popular choice for local and regional concerts.
The band typically performs as a jazz quintet and also offers a dynamic 10-piece rhythm and jazz ensemble that features the talented vocalist, Gina Meeks. The band’s evolving repertoire features rhythmic variety and original compositions, including a mix of musical styles and smoldering rhythms in an upbeat funky, Latin, R&B, and swing style of contemporary jazz. Compositions by Miles Davis, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Herbie Hancock share the spotlight with songs by Sade, Etta James, and Tower of Power, to name just a few.
No Worries
July 10, 2026, 6 pm
Stockton Park
No Worries is a 3-member Band who have joined together to share their love of Gospel, Folk, Country and Bluegrass Music. Terry O'Malley, who was born and raised in Rushville IL and now residing in Stockton Il, has played with multiple bands in his career, and is a former member of Gone Fishin’. He plays guitar, banjo, bass and mandolin. Mary Berryhill, born and raised in Shannon IL and now residing in Stockton IL, is on her church worship team, has a nursing home music ministry and is also a former member of Gone Fishin'. She plays the bass and violin. Mary Hammer, born and raised in Scales Mound IL and now resides in Apple River IL, has played keyboard for her local church for many years, was previously a member of the Carma band, and Gone Fishin' band. She plays mandolin, piano and guitar. The three love to share their joy of music with others.
Fever River String Band
July 24, 2026, 6 pm
Stockton Park
The Fever River String Band has five members - Jimmy on guitar, Sadie on mandolin, Riley on fiddle, Jack on guitar and Hatch on stand up bass. We probably know well over 100 tunes, old time, rag time, jug band, string band, reels, waltzes, etc. Riley and Sadie are married and have been playing this type of music for 30 years. The rest of us just sort of fell into it here and there.
Our influences are: Beer! Luke Smathers, Jimmy Rodgers, Uncle Earl String band, Foghorn Stringband, Charley Poole, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Arthur Smith, Old Crow Medicine Show, New Lost City Ramblers, R. Crumb & Cheapsuit Serenaders, Double Decker Stringband, The Ditchlilies, Kenny Hall, Luke Smathers...just to name a few, and Beer!
Lojo Russo
August 14, 2026, 6 pm
Stockton Park
Lojo Russo has been making music along the muddy waters of the Mississippi since she first picked up a guitar at the age of ten. With a self-taught approach to music, Russo has developed a unique understanding of genres and songwriting. Russo has played a range of instruments in a range of musical styles. From her days playing in jam, Celtic, blues and folk bands around the Twin Cities (MN), she defined and refined her own writing and
music style. These days Lojo Russo makes her home in the Quad Cities (IA) where she still lives along the mighty Mississippi writing, creating, and
performing her free-spirited blend of rhythm & roots at home, around the Midwest, and the country.
Thank You to the Foundation for Northwest Illinois for providing a grant to help with our 2024 Summer Concert Series!
