By Nanette Wiser
COACHMAN PARK TUNES UP
A new era of entertainment comes to downtown Clearwater with the opening of The Sound @Coachman Park in June, home to October’s Clearwater Jazz Holiday for many years, which will return to The Sound in 2023. Coachman Park is a 19-acre public park located in Downtown Clearwater set to open June 28. It is known for its beautiful waterfront location, features and outdoor performing arts venue that is poised to host a variety of events throughout the year, including concerts, festivals, and cultural events. Coachman Park also has numerous amenities, including a grand entrance and walkway, public art spaces, a waterfront pedestrian promenade, a marina amenity building, a scenic overlook with pavilions, a playground area and splash pad. myclearwater.com/coachmanpark
The weeklong Grand Opening Celebration of Coachman Park will include free activities, food and beverage vendors, local crafters and more. Ruth Eckerd Hall has announced three concerts at The Sound: Colbie Caillat and Gavin DeGraw on Friday, June 30; Dave Koz Summer Horns Tour with special guests Candy Dulfer & Eric Darius on Saturday, July 1; and Peter Frampton on Sunday, July 2. For info/tickets, facebook.com/thesoundfla.
During the week, visitors can enjoy daily events such as health and fitness classes, food and beverage experiences, exhibitors, children’s games, as well as activities and park amenities such as a splash pad, large playground, walking trails and more. On 6/28 is the ribbon cutting @5pm with the first concert TBD. On 6/29, the theme is Clearwater Celebrates Diversity & Culture with a multicultural market and crafters, as well as dance troupes and musicians showcasing their talents. Children’s activities will include inflatables, face painters and other family-friendly activities. A free community concert tops off the day with The Black Honkeys Band. For these two free concerts, general admission will be on a first come, first served basis. Chairs are limited; bring a blanket for the lawn.Kicking off the weekend, Friday’s theme will be Clearwater Celebrates Music featuring a craft beer garden, children’s activities, buskers, food trucks and street entertainment with local musicians performing on The Green in the park followed by a ticket-only concert at The Sound, featuring GRAMMY®-winner Colbie Caillat and GRAMMY® nominee Gavin DeGraw 7pm.
Saturday’s Clearwater Celebrates Community will begin with a 5K running event, followed by the craft beer garden, performances on The Green, a farmers’ market and events honoring Clearwater’s neighborhoods. A ticket-only concert at The Sound, featuring GRAMMY®-nominee Dave Koz Summer Horns Tour with special guests Candy Dulfer and Eric Darius 7pm.
Sunday’s Clearwater Celebrates Hispanic Culture celebrates the large Hispanic community that makes up the fabric of Clearwater and will feature dance classes with professional instructors, musical performances on The Green (Rumbero’s De Tampa) DJs and Hispanic cuisine food trucks. Sunday night is a ticket-only concert at The Sound featuring GRAMMY®-winner Peter Frampton 7pm. Monday’s Clearwater Celebrates Wellness highlights the new recreation area and a community volunteer. On July 4, Clearwater Celebrates America kicks off the holiday with a classic car show, farmers market, buskers, street entertainers and family-friendly games and entertainment and at night, fireworks over Clearwater Harbor.
