Long Grove beginning free summer Music in the Park at Covered Bridge Park

Chicago Tribune

09-06-2025

The historic covered bridge in Long Grove has become the backdrop for a new free summer music series. 'Music in the Park' runs from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursdays in the Covered Bridge Park, June 5-July 31.
'We're always about giving back to the community,' said Dave Gayton, vice president and marketing chairperson of the Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association, which is sponsoring the series. 'We thought by offering live music in a relaxing and friendly environment, it would be what people are looking for to do on a nice summer night.'
They chose the Covered Bridge Park as the setting because the Covered Bridge 'is our signature piece and very iconic and historic,' Gayton said.
In choosing performers, they focused on local talent, Gayton indicated. They also looked for diverse styles of music. 'We want to appeal to a broad audience,' Gayton explained.
The series began on June 5 with the vocal/guitar trio Toe Tappers, featuring Ken Kuhn, Mitchell Marcus, and Paul Hilderbrand. The group plays music from different decades, as well as some of songwriter Kuhn's original songs.
Kuhn was particularly excited that his group inaugurated the concert series because of his close ties to Long Grove.
'It's such an honor,' Kuhn said. 'I have played in Long Grove before, and I had such wonderful experiences. It turned out to be a wonderful and magical evening.'
Kuhn said that he grew up in the Long Grove area, in a place that was then called Farmington, which is now part of Kildeer.
'I went to Long Grove Community Church as a young boy and my parents were both in the choir at the church,' Kuhn said. 'And my wife and I, 31-1/2 years ago, were married in Long Grove Community Church.'
The town is also where Kuhn got his first job as an eighth-grader, washing dishes at Long Grove Tavern.
'I have a lot of fond, sentimental memories of Long Grove,' Kuhn said. 'For me to play there as an adult is a real dream come true.'
Gayton reported that they were pleased with the turnout of about 40 people at the first concert. 'For being right out of the gate, we thought that was fantastic,' he said. 'People loved it. They especially loved the environment. One group brought out a whole big picnic.'
The concert series continues on June 12 with singer-songwriter Nicole Nystrom performing with her three-piece country band. 'I'm going to do a mixture of classic country covers and then original music,' Nystrom said.
There's sure to be a diverse selection of music because, Nystrom reported, 'I love the fact that we have band members from different genres. We have a lot of country to Americana sounds with a western-bluesy flair.'
Nystrom revealed that she creates songs about the simple country life. 'I write a lot of songs out with my horses or when I'm driving my truck,' she said. 'I love the storytelling part of songwriting.'
Her songs cover a diverse range of topics, including love and heartbreak. That topic comes up in 'Hearts First,' a single that's out now.
She has also written some faith-based songs, including some about 'the hardships I've gone through in life and how God has helped me through those,' she said.
Some of Nystrom's songs, like 'Casualty,' are about bad guys who don't treat women right.
She has also co-written songs with other songwriters in Nashville.
The singer-songwriter said that her audiences seem to react the most when the character sings a love song she wrote—about a guy's relationship with his truck!
The Long Grove audiences will also hear classic numbers of Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Bonnie Raitt, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson, and others.
Nystrom indicated that she enjoys performing outdoor concerts. 'I think it brings a really fun, family-friendly feel,' she explained.
The series continues on June 19 with Bluewater Creek from Lake County playing folk, country, and rock 'n' roll covers and originals.
The July 10 concert will feature Lake Zurich singer and musician Bill Uhler, who is known for his high-energy shows.
There will be Nashville-style rhythm and blues and country rock on July 17 when singer-songwriter and guitarist Colin Cimmarusti performs. He frequently performs locally including in Barrington, Long Grove, Crystal Lake, and Cary.
The July 24 concert will feature the Big Sky Acoustic Duo playing bluegrass, blues, and roots-infused covers.
The series concludes on July 31 with L&M Experience performing eclectic acoustic covers and original songs.
For more details about the concerts, visit longgrove.org/event/music-in-the-park.