Seniors in the Park turns 40

Mary+Cottle+happily+holds+up+the+beers+in+her+tent+at+the+Whitewater+city+market%2C+Tuesday+evening%2C+August+24th.

Ky McCombe

Mary Cottle happily holds up the beers in her tent at the Whitewater city market, Tuesday evening, August 24th.

Dauntae Green, Managing Editor

There was an Elvis Presley sighting at the Cravath Lakefront Amphitheater in Whitewater Tuesday, Aug. 24, but the sideburns didn’t quite match. 

It turned out to be Tony Rocker, the award-winning Elvis tribute artist, performing songs while dressed as the one and only King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. His performance was one of a series of Concerts in the Park events that were sponsored by Seniors in the Park and hosted by the Department of Parks and Recreation.

“We celebrated the 40th anniversary of our Seniors in the Park organization with the help of volunteers, Parks and Recreation, citizens, the city of Whitewater, and of course with Tony Rocker’s  rockin’ Elvis music,” said Seniors in the Park coordinator Deb Weberpal.

The event took place at the Cravath Lakefront Amphitheater from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m., however, heavy rain pushed attendees inside to continue the event. Luckily the rain didn’t phase audience members who reset their lawn chairs to sit down and party with the music. Local food trucks, with drinks and eats were outside ready to serve while the performance resumed inside. 

“Tuesday night’s Elvis concert that was relocated to Lakefront Community Center was a rockin’ success of loud music, an engaged crowd and standing room only. It was wonderful seeing an older generation sharing ‘their’ music with the next. The evening was enjoyed and appreciated by all. A big thank you to Seniors in the Park for sponsoring it!” said attendee Lyn Wolfe.

The night really rocked with people dancing, singing, tapping and clapping away to the music of Tony Rocker as Elvis. It brought young and old generations together making memories and reminiscing of the old days of rock and roll together. Elvis has left the building, but Seniors in the Park are keeping his spirit alive. 

“What a fun and delightful evening at the Cravath Lake Community Building where the Seniors in the Park sponsored Elvis singing all the great hits that we all remembered,” said volunteer and member of Seniors in the Park Carol Holford. “We all felt the jive and often sang along to those oldies. The Senior Center’s complimentary ice cream cups were an extra treat. Everyone went home full of music and smiling.”