Historic Washington State Park announces the annual summer concert series “Music in the Park” with the theme “Arkansas Roots.” A free concert will be held in June, July, and August and is open to the public.

June 15 – Hartley Family Bluegrass Band
July 20 – Bear Creek Boys
August 17 – Harmony

Arkansas was formed as a territory in 1819. This year is the 200th birthday of the formation of Arkansas as its own territory. The music groups are bands that have their roots in Arkansas and its history.

Hartley Family Bluegrass Band is a family band from Arkadelphia, Arkansas. They started learning to play bluegrass and gospel music in 2003, just wanting to do something together as a family. A year later, to their surprise, they started getting invitations to play at churches, festivals, and other events. By 2007 they were traveling to places as far away as upstate New York, sharing their songs and meeting many kind people. The they continue today with Tom and Deb Hartly and their two youngest children, Abby and Micah. More information at www.hartleyfamilybluegrass.blogspot.com.

Bear Creek Boys is a local band that is made up of members from Hempstead, Howard, and Pike counties. They enjoy play different oldies pieces and Country music from the 1970s. They play for different local events around the southwest Arkansas area.

Harmony hails from Mountain View, a beautiful town nestled in a valley of the Ozark Mountains. They specialize in traditional and contemporary Folk Music, Old-Time String Band music, and good-old three-part harmony Gospel Songs. More information at www.harmonyband.org.

Bring your lawn chairs or blanket to spread on the grounds of the 1874 Courthouse by 7:30 p.m. on concert dates. The gift shop will be open for refreshments and Williams’ Tavern Restaurant will be open from 11 am – 7 pm for dining. For more information, call 870-983-2684.