Orange residents will continue to enjoy their popular summer tradition of free Concerts in the Park thanks to the generosity of The Wilson Automotive Group, which owns three car dealerships in the City of Orange – Toyota of Orange, Ford of Orange and Villa Ford.
The popular outdoor concerts series had been cancelled by the Orange City Council, citing budgetary pressures, but shortly afterward, the dealership group – which has deep ties to the city – came forward to keep the show going.
In a July 1 post on X (formerly Twitter), Vikki Murphy, Wilson Automotive Group executive vice president and a long-tim Orange resident, announced the company would underwrite the cost of the entire summer concert series.
“Wilson Automotive just dropped off a check to the City of Orange to sponsor – adopt – the Concerts in the Park series for 2024,” said Murphy.
“We love this city. We love it’s people. You have helped make us successful, and we are so proud and happy to be able to donate to this great series and community event,” said Murphy.
This years series of weekly concerts kicked off on June 12. In response to a multimillion dollar budget deficit, the Orange City Council voted on June 25 to cancel the remaining concerts.
Most of the concerts take place in the classic band shell at historic Hart Park in downtown Orange. The kick-off concert is held at El Camino Park in west Orange and the closer at Grijalva Park in east Orange.
