Bandstand and downtown projects are dedicated

    Washington?s Central Park was alive Thursday night with a farmers market, free popcorn and the first municipal band concert of the summer. The night was also noteworthy because the new bandstand was dedicated. Mayor Sandra Johnson spoke at the dedication, which was a time to honor the work that went into not only the bandstand but the entire downtown enhancement project.

    Johnson thanked the dozens upon dozens of organizations, boards, committees and volunteer groups who had a hand in shaping the look of the city?s downtown. After her speech, Johnson remarked that it was nigh on impossible to list all the people who gave their time to beautifying the square.

    ?I tried to reveal to the public the 30 years of planning that went into the downtown,? said Johnson. ?It didn?t happen by the wave of a magic wand. It happened because of grassroots initiatives, which are vital for keeping our community an attractive place for family activity.?

    Johnson said it was a difficult task to summarize all the work that has gone into the downtown enhancement project in a single speech.

    ?I wish I could estimate the thousands of volunteer hours that went into making this community attractive,? said Johnson. ?It is humbling to think of all the community support we received.?

    Johnson said that the fountain and the bandstand are a few of Washington?s icons and that they provide nice ambience and even romance to the park. She said they have made the park a place that young and old alike want to visit.

    ?You saw three or four generations of people at the band concert,? she said.

    The downtown?s new look affects how much time residents spend there.

    ?People spend time lingering at the park after an event,? said Johnson. ?We have something on the square every weekend in the summer.?

    The municipal band played the song ?Lassus Trombone? in honor of John Jackson, who was a charter member of the band in 1932. Jackson and his wife, Phyllis, donated $175,000 to the new bandstand. Jackson, 95, lives in Fairfield and was unable to attend the concert Thursday.

    Washington resident John Winga is a friend of Jackson?s and said that he talked to him Thursday afternoon. Winga reported that Jackson was not feeling well and that he did not want to go out in the rain. Winga and Jackson played together in the 34th Army band in Fairfield after Winga graduated from Michigan State University.

Winga remarked, ?We?ll get [Jackson] over here sometime this year, and we?ll play ?Lassus Trombone? for him again when he comes.? 

Winga has played in the Washington Municipal Band since the summer of 1946. He said he was very impressed with the new bandstand?s sound and lights.

?You could see your music last night,? said Winga, who plays clarinet. ?At times, it was hard to see your music in the old bandstand. The band also sounded better in the new bandstand. You got a full-volume sound.?

Municipal Band director Tom McNamar said that the new bandstand is better than the former bandstand in a number of ways.