Imperial Beach Mini Concert Series to Resume Saturday

Three years ago the IB Business Improvement District (BID) and decided to team up to create a series of free mini-sunset concerts. 

Although in previous years the monthly beachside concerts took place on first Sundays from May to Aug., IB Chamber of Commerce Executive Assistant Kimberly Palkovic said that for the 2011 season, the evening music event has been moved to first Saturdays, and will instead run from June through September.

The concert times will remain the same, from  6-7 p.m., with an all-day music extravaganza to take place on the fourth of July leading up to the Big Bay Boom fireworks show.

“This year will be our second annual July 4th ‘Sounds of IB’ musical event,” Palkovic said.  “Although this particular musical celebration will take place on and run from noon until about 8 p.m., the remaining concerts in the series will continue to take place at the end of Old Palm Avenue along the plank that’s up against the seawall.”

The decision to delay the concert series start by a month, she noted, was largely due to inhospitable evening weather experienced in year's past.

“Last year we didn’t get much of a summer,” she said.  “And it was difficult for bands to play in damp weather at that time of evening. We thought that delaying the start of the concert series might be better for us in terms of getting the weather that we need to make this a success.”

IB BID Chairperson said that the concert series is an important part of the community because it provides two things.

“[The concert series] gives a little bit back to the locals and it brings in others to see what IB has to offer,” he said. “And as you bring people down to the beach or into the city, those people will hopefully go out after or on their way and patronize some of the businesses within the surrounding area.”

Osborne said that in the past it wasn't uncommon to have 40 or 50 people watching the show from the sand while as many as 70 others may walk through to enjoy the music as they stroll past the band.

That foot traffic, said owner Katy Fallon, has translated to increased sales during concert series nights. Katy’s Café is among a peppering of local businesses whose doors are within close proximity of the concert’s venue.

“I definitely see a pick-up in business because if it’s chilly and people secede they need a hot latte or maybe some tea. That’s what my store features,” Fallon said. 

“It’s just a wonderful event because it brings everyone down to the beach, where they get to see an almost-hidden block with businesses that they may have otherwise overlooked.”

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