Grafton to Offer 18-Week Music in the Park Series

Our Daily Show Interview! Grafton Music in the Park Line Up Announced!

GRAFTON - Grafton’s Music in the Park returns for another season of free live concerts in the middle of town.

Peg Brooks stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello to talk through this year’s schedule. She pointed out that this year’s 18-week season is the longest it’s ever been. Concerts start at 7 p.m. every Thursday night from May 28 through September 24, 2026, at Grove Memorial Park in Grafton.

“I have a problem. I develop relationships with the bands, so I don’t want to replace them, so I just add more weeks so I can add bands that I really like,” Brooks laughed.

The music runs from 7–9 p.m. every Thursday and always opens with a rendition of The National Anthem sung by Brooks’s daughter, Nikki. Some weeks feature additional entertainment starting at 6:30 p.m. Follow the official Grafton’s Music in the Park Facebook page for these updates.

The music varies every week, ranging from rock to country to jazz to a Christian night at the request of Steve Pegram, founder of the nonprofit Got Faith? in Jersey County. Brooks tries to find bands that are local, and many of these bands give her a discount because they enjoy playing in Grafton so much.

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She pointed out that the Music in the Park events allow people to experience live music for free in a family-friendly environment.

“There are so many phenomenal local and area bands that people don’t get to see because they don’t want to go to the bar,” Brooks said. “The nice thing about the park is you can come in, you can sit, you can drink your soda or whatever you want, and there's not the pressure or the noise.”

Brooks thanked the community for their support. Many people, businesses and organizations have donated to Music in the Park, which allows Brooks to put on the free concerts every week. The immense support this year allowed her to extend the season to 18 weeks.

She added that she has developed close relationships with most of the musicians, and she looks forward to welcoming them back — and getting to know a few newbies — for another great season of music in Grafton.

The 2026 season is as follows:

• May 28: The Owls
• June 4: Starlifter, U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America
• June 11: Highway 67
• June 18: Money Shot
• June 25: Outlaw Opry
• July 2: The Gibson Girls
• July 9: Rum Boogie
• July 16: Tanglefoot
• July 23: Trilogy
• July 30: Soulshine Groove
• August 6: Midwest Avenue
• August 13: Jared Hennings Band
• August 20: HOOKie
• August 27: Flip the Frog
• September 3: Scott and Liz
• September 10: Chaser Band
• September 17: Porch Café
• September 24: Can Jam

Check out the official Grafton’s Music in the Park Facebook page to learn more.

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