First on Front Inaugural Concert

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Concertgoers cheer as Mark Chapman Band takes the stage Friday night for the first First on Front concert in downtown Monett. Brad Stout/compostition@monett-times.com
The Lucas Gates Band, of Bentonville, Ark., kicked off the First on Front summer concert series on Friday evening at the Glen and Sharon Garrett Downtown Park on Front Street in Monett. Other entertainers for the inaugural event included Laura Ashley and the Mark Chapman Band. The First on Front summer concert series will continue on the first Friday evening of June and July. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com
Throngs of visitors attended the inaugural concert event, First on Front, held Friday evening at the Glen and Sharon Garrett Downtown Park on Front Street in Monett. In addition to musical performances by the Lucas Gates Band, Laura Ashley and the Mark Chapman Band, there were food trucks and a beer garden. Youngsters scrambled on the newly installed playground equipment, located adjacent to the Jerry D. Hall Memorial Pavilion. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com
The Glen and Sharon Garrett Downtown Park on Front Street in Monett, which features a small playground, a splash pad and the Jerry D. Hall Memorial Pavilion, will be the site for future performances in the summer concert series, taking place the first Friday in June and July. A host of area residents turned out Friday evening to enjoy the inaugural event. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com

The inaugural performance of the summer concert series First on Front was not only for humankind. Several attendees brought their fur-friends along to enjoy the food, fun and friendly belly rubs. Joyce Botasnak and her smiling canine companion, Lola, were among those in attendance. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com
Regional country singer Laura Ashley takes the stage Friday evening during the First on Front concert series at the Glen and Sharon Garrett Downtown Park in Monett. Brad Stout/compostition@monett-times.com
Regional country singer Laura Ashley takes the stage Friday evening during the First on Front concert series at the Glen and Sharon Garrett Downtown Park in Monett. Brad Stout/compostition@monett-times.com
Technicians work behind the scenes at the First on Front concert in Monett as headliner Mark Chapman Band perform. Brad Stout/compostition@monett-times.com
Mark Chapman takes the stage Friday night during the First on Front concert series at the Glen and Sharon Garrett Downtown Park in Monett. Brad Stout/compostition@monett-times.com
Singer Mark Chapman, left, and bassist Randall Wildman, right, give it their all Friday night during a performance at the First on Front concert in downtown Monett. Brad Stout/compostition@monett-times.com
Mark Chapman, left, and Randall Wildman, right, take a moment as Taylor Dodson launches into a guitar solo Friday night. Brad Stout/compostition@monett-times.com
While adults lounged in lawn chairs enjoying the first in the summer concert series, First on Front, children explored the new playground equipment at the Glen and Sharon Garrett Downtown Park on Front Street in Monett. The community-oriented event will continue on the first Friday of June and July. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com