Blab Music
Painesvilles Party in the Park 2026 Gears Up for July 17-19 Fundraiser
The Painesville Community Improvement Corporation (PCIC) is revamping its marquee event, Party in the Park, for a three‑day showcase that will take place July 17‑19 at Painesville Square. Touted as Ohio’s largest free outdoor music festival, the 2026 edition will host more than 20 local and regional acts, a variety of food vendors, a dedicated kids’ zone, and a slate of community activities.
Friday kicks off at noon with the singer‑songwriter Brent Kirby, and the day closes at 10 p.m. with the brass‑funk ensemble Empire Strikes Brass. Saturday runs from noon to midnight, ending on a high note with the LoConti Band, while Sunday’s lineup spans noon to 11 p.m. and concludes with the country‑rock group Country Redford. The Sunday morning slot from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. is set aside for Grand River Baptist Church.
Co‑organizer Pam Morse emphasized that the festival will operate rain or shine and that the park can accommodate up to 100,000 visitors—an ambitious target given last year’s attendance of 50,000 to 80,000. She urged attendees to arrive early, bring their own seats and chairs, and to keep pets out of the venue to avoid noise disruptions in the densely packed space.
Beyond the music, the festival will feature a one‑day cornhole tournament, a one‑hour “Party, Paint and Sip” fundraiser on Sunday, and a VIP area offering specialty food from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event is free to the public; alcohol is sold, and vendors pay a modest fee. According to Faenhle, the organizers do not profit from the festival—proceeds are funneled straight into PCIC’s community projects.
Founded in 1977, PCIC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that uses the festival’s revenue to fund park improvements, first‑responder equipment, small‑business grants, and educational programs. Recent initiatives include a new skate park for the Painesville Skateboarding Association, a fence for the Kiwanis Recreation Park dog park, and monarch‑butterfly art displays. The organization also sponsors second‑grade students in Painesville City to participate in the YMCA’s Safety Around Water program.
The event will rely on 175 volunteers from the Blue Shirt Group, and discounted rooms are available at the new TownePlace Suites in Painesville—details posted on the Party in the Park Facebook page.
PCIC has underscored that Party in the Park remains its sole fundraiser. Its mission is to revitalize Painesville and surrounding communities, with proceeds distributed across the city, Painesville Township, Concord Township, Fairport Harbor, and Grand River Village.
In a playful nod to the 1985 film “Better Off Dead,” organizers are encouraging visitors to “Party in the Park for $2.” Attendees who donate the $2 receive a 3‑inch sticker reading “I want my $2.” The contribution covers rising costs and helps sustain the festival.
The festival will take place on Painesville Square, a central downtown venue that has hosted the event annually. Full line‑up details and the complete schedule are available on the PCIC website.
In summary, Party in the Park 2026 will run July 17‑19, offering free music, community activities, and a volunteer‑run fundraiser that supports local projects. Attendance is projected to reach up to 100,000 people, with proceeds earmarked for park upgrades, first‑responder gear, small‑business grants, and educational programs across the Painesville region.
Friday kicks off at noon with the singer‑songwriter Brent Kirby, and the day closes at 10 p.m. with the brass‑funk ensemble Empire Strikes Brass. Saturday runs from noon to midnight, ending on a high note with the LoConti Band, while Sunday’s lineup spans noon to 11 p.m. and concludes with the country‑rock group Country Redford. The Sunday morning slot from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. is set aside for Grand River Baptist Church.
Co‑organizer Pam Morse emphasized that the festival will operate rain or shine and that the park can accommodate up to 100,000 visitors—an ambitious target given last year’s attendance of 50,000 to 80,000. She urged attendees to arrive early, bring their own seats and chairs, and to keep pets out of the venue to avoid noise disruptions in the densely packed space.
Beyond the music, the festival will feature a one‑day cornhole tournament, a one‑hour “Party, Paint and Sip” fundraiser on Sunday, and a VIP area offering specialty food from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event is free to the public; alcohol is sold, and vendors pay a modest fee. According to Faenhle, the organizers do not profit from the festival—proceeds are funneled straight into PCIC’s community projects.
Founded in 1977, PCIC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that uses the festival’s revenue to fund park improvements, first‑responder equipment, small‑business grants, and educational programs. Recent initiatives include a new skate park for the Painesville Skateboarding Association, a fence for the Kiwanis Recreation Park dog park, and monarch‑butterfly art displays. The organization also sponsors second‑grade students in Painesville City to participate in the YMCA’s Safety Around Water program.
The event will rely on 175 volunteers from the Blue Shirt Group, and discounted rooms are available at the new TownePlace Suites in Painesville—details posted on the Party in the Park Facebook page.
PCIC has underscored that Party in the Park remains its sole fundraiser. Its mission is to revitalize Painesville and surrounding communities, with proceeds distributed across the city, Painesville Township, Concord Township, Fairport Harbor, and Grand River Village.
In a playful nod to the 1985 film “Better Off Dead,” organizers are encouraging visitors to “Party in the Park for $2.” Attendees who donate the $2 receive a 3‑inch sticker reading “I want my $2.” The contribution covers rising costs and helps sustain the festival.
The festival will take place on Painesville Square, a central downtown venue that has hosted the event annually. Full line‑up details and the complete schedule are available on the PCIC website.
In summary, Party in the Park 2026 will run July 17‑19, offering free music, community activities, and a volunteer‑run fundraiser that supports local projects. Attendance is projected to reach up to 100,000 people, with proceeds earmarked for park upgrades, first‑responder gear, small‑business grants, and educational programs across the Painesville region.
