5 months ago
SACRAMENTO, CA - The lights dimmed Friday on Sacramento's summer concert series in Cesar Chavez Park following a failed attempt by promoters to extend the shows into mid-September.
"We had to pull the plug a few days ago because after (last) Friday, the attendance was so low we knew we weren't going to be able to be out here tonight with another one," Concert in the Park series promoter Terry Perry said.
The news came as a big surprise to dozens who showed up in the park Friday night expecting a big performance.
"This is one of the things I look forward to most about summer," disappointed concert-goer Sam Dilliard said.
Perry said when he decided to extend the series through September 18, he knew there would be a number of hurdles to overcome.
"So we were starting from square one at that point. We were starting with the idea that in a lot of people's minds, it ended August 14 and we had to get the big 'no, it doesn't' out there," Perry said.
Perry said a lot of people were excited to find out the Concert Series had been extended, but attendence still wasn't where it needed to be for the later-season shows.
"The first week was the opening night of the state fair and a furlough friday and we did about 3,000," Perry said. "That was not enough to cover the expenses of the show."
So instead, Perry decided it would be best to cut his losses and start planning for next year.
"I think the key is next year we start hitting a little earlier," Perry said.
In the meantime, people will be able to catch local music this weekend at another event put on by Perry. The "Chalk it Up." event takes place Saturday through Monday at Sacramento's Fremont Park.
News10/KXTV
