For Immediate Release
Date: September 30, 2014
The City of Savannah along with presenting sponsor Parker’s and Media Sponsor WSAV invite Savannahians to join them for an evening of entertainment, family, fun and of course “picnics” in Forsyth Park on Sunday, October 5, for Picnic in the Park.
The iconic event is held in celebration of National Arts & Humanities month in October. Attendees will enjoy a full evening of live preshow performances and a concert featuring the Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Artistic Director and Conductor Peter Shannon.
The Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra will perform an assortment of works from composers such as Fry, Strauss and Lopez, who are the famous composers for the Academy Award winning song, “Let It Go”, from the 2013 Disney film, “Frozen”. Executive Director David Pratt said that the Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra’s performance was well received last year and audiences were pleased to see their return. “We received a huge response from those that attended; lots of positive feedback and happy to see an orchestra back performing in the park,” stated Pratt.
Parker’s has taken on both roles as Presenting Sponsor and Picnic Contest host. "This is Parker’s third year sponsoring Picnic in the Park and our continued support is a testament of our commitment to the City of Savannah,” said Greg Parker, President and CEO of Parker’s. “Each year has helped us continue the evolution of the entire event: to higher attendance, top tier celebrity judges, compelling content and robust music, all of which makes this year’s Picnic in the Park completely unique,” he continues, “We truly enjoy giving back to the community and our customers.”
All picnic contestants who enter their spread are encouraged to design a creative picnic around the theme, “Fly Me to the Moon”, a famous recording by African American cabaret singer Mabel Mercer, and later by Johnny Mathis. The grand prize winner will receive $1,000.00 in Parker’s cash.
Preshow events will be hosted by TV personality of WSAV’s weekday, lifestyle and entertainment show, The Southern Scene, Natalie Hendrix. The Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra concert will be hosted by WSAV’s Kim Gusby and Dave Kartunen.
The picnic contest registration begins at 3pm and preshow events kick off at 3:45pm. The Savannah Philharmonic performs at 7pm. Picnic in the Park is a free event open to the public and made possible by City of Savannah, Parker’s and WSAV. Valet bike parking will be provided courtesy of Savannah Bicycle Campaign, an initiative to build a better Savannah through bicycling. A full event schedule is listed below. For more information please visit www.savannahga.gov/arts.
2014 Picnic in the Park Schedule
3:00pm Picnic Contest Registration at Parker’s Tent
3:45pm Windsor Forest Drumline, Band Director - Lee Ewing
4:00pm Johnson High School Chorus
4:45pm Savannah Arts Academy Orchestra
5:00pm Picnic Contest Judging begins
5:30pm Equinox Jazz Quintet
7:00pm Welcome – Parker’s
7:10pm Savannah Philharmonic Concert
7:55pm Intermission/Picnic Contest Winners Announced
8:15pm Savannah Philharmonic Concert continues
9:00 pm Concert Ends