Overview: The City of Riverside Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department (PRCSD) held a free patriotic concert at Fairmount Park, Riverside, on July 1, 2026, to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. Over 15,000 attendees enjoyed live music by The Convertibles Band, followed by a patriotic drone show. The event was part of the Summer Fun Concerts in the Park series, which features a variety of artists and genres of music, multiple food vendors, a beer garden, and family-friendly fun. This was the first year that the series had ASL interpreters in front of the stage signing the songs to guests who are a part of the ASL community.
Alyssah Hall
A free patriotic concert at Fairmount Park in Riverside, was held by The City of Riverside Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department (PRCSD) on July 1, 2026. America’s 250th anniversary was celebrated with over 15,000 attendees enjoying live music by The Convertibles Band, followed by a patriotic drone show at the end of the night.
Riverside’s (PRCSD) holds their Summer Fun Concerts in the Park series every Wednesday at Fairmount Park from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., from June 24, 2026 through July 29, 2026. These concerts feature a variety of artists and genres of music, multiple food vendors, a beer garden hosted by the Riverside Community Services Foundation and promises family-friendly fun. This is also the first year that the Summer Fun Concerts in the Park series has had American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters in front of the stage signing the songs to guests who are a part of the ASL community.
“I’ve been emceeing the summer concert series here at Fairmount Park for probably 18 years, maybe since 2008, and this to me is the most amazing definition of Riverside. The gathering here as you walk through—this is Riverside. It’s everybody from all different walks of life smiling at each other and shaking hands and just enjoying the music,” said Steve Brazill, emcee of the Summer Fun Concerts in the Park Series.
One of many in attendance was Sabrina Matthews who came with her mother. Matthews shared that she and her mother have been attending this event for the last few years to enjoy live music together and that they often run into many “good” friends and families. Matthews stated it’s a nice event. Another group at the event were long-time friends, Nikki Dodson, Theresa Williams, Djquara Wilson and Shannon Parker.
“Me and my friends that have been friends for 30 plus years, come to this event on Wednesdays every summer. We get together, we laugh, we listen to great music and we just have a good time. Since it’s a family event. It’s nice to be out here,” Dodson shared.
The singers of The Convertibles Band and many other attendees showed their American pride by wearing red white and blue patriotic gear. Attendees’ outfits featured stars and stripes, patriotic face make up and red white and blue pompom headbands. Many families danced with their children on the basketball court turned dance floor in front of the stage where The Convertibles Band covered songs like “Hit me with your best shot” by Pat Benatar and “Get ready” by the Temptations.
Nikea Walker and her family also were in attendance at the patriotic concert at Fairmount Park. Walker shared that she and her loved ones come to Riverside’s PRCSD’s Summer Fun Concerts in the Park series every year and said that it’s a wonderful way to spend time with family.
The night ended with a colorful and bright drone show, featuring about 500 drones creating different shapes for the audience such as an astronaut on the moon holding an American flag, the shape of the state of California and the Riverside Raincross symbol with “250 America” in front of it.