Approximately $1,400 was raised for the Ceres Concerts in the Park series in the form of tips given to local dignitaries who waited tables on Tuesday evening, May 19 at Alfonso's Mexican Bar & Grill.
Denise Wickham, an administrator with the Ceres Unified School District, came out ahead in tips with her service that brought in $507 in tips.
Other waiters were Ceres Police Chief Brent Smith, Ceres Police Captain Rick Collins, Ceres Fire Marshall Bryan Nicholes the first hour. The second half of the night introduced waiters Ceres Firefighter Carlos Hampton, Councilman Ken Lane and newly appointed Planning Commissioner Couper Condit.
Helping to host and bus tables during the annual Celebrity Waiter Night were girls who participated in the recent Soroptimist sponsored Distinguished Young Women pageant.
The city sponsored Concerts in the Park series of seven weeks kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2 at Whitmore Park. Concerts are held Tuesday evenings, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. until July 14. There is no admission for attendance.
A Farmer's Market will be held along with the concerts each night as local vendors offer fresh produce in the shade of the park.
The series will again feature the Voice of Ceres youth singing competition for children K-6th grades. Each of the concert nights kids will compete during the intermission. The winner of the competition will have a chance to perform at all of the Ceres special events, such as the Halloween and Christmas festivals, the Ceres Street Faire and the 2016 Concerts in the Park kick-off.
No entry fee or experience required, spots fill up quick, so register soon. To apply call Cambria at 538-5782 or email cambria.pollinger@ci.ceres.ca.us.
Concessions of food will be sold by the Ceres Firefighters Union and Bronco Wine will be sold the Ceres Chamber of Commerce.
As last year, a promotion called the Ceres Concerts in the Park Cash Pass ticket promotion is designed to get attendance up. Concerts are free but a $35 season Cash Pass will be sold that enable people to have a chance to win $500 during each of the seven concerts. Winners must be present to win the entire $500 amount but those who are not present if their name is drawn will be awarded $250. Passes may be ordered by calling the city at 538-5628; or the Chamber of Commerce, 537-2601. Those who wish to participate in one concert drawing may buy a single "prize pass" for a 50/50 drawing for $10 per ticket. Passes are available at the Ceres Community Center, 2701 Fourth Street, at the Ceres Chamber of Commerce, 2938 Fourth Street.
