Papa Doo Run Run to perform in park

VW independent/submitted information

Papa Doo Run Run will kick off the 2014 Fountain Park Summer Music Series this Friday.

Each summer, this band plays to 8,000 fans on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in an end of summer concert in sunny California.  Tonight, area residents get to watch as Papa Doo Run Run opens the summer in sunny Van Wert’s Fountain Park.

This California beach party band got its start in the mid 1970s with five major tours with Jan & Dean.  Then in the ‘80s, the band moved on to record with the Beach Boys for nearly two decades. Meanwhile, band members also kept a busy schedule as Disneyland’s Celebrity House Band from 1975-90.  In its own right, Papa Doo Run Run owns two gold records and a Grammy nomination. One of the band members is also the music director for Brian Wilson while another used to perform with Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

This kick-off concert, sponsored by The Van Wert County Foundation, in cooperation with the Van Wert City Parks & Recreation Department, is also held in conjunction with Van Wert’s Peony and ArtRageous festivals. Food vendors, arts & crafts, art displays, and a car show will be outlining Fountain Park Friday and Saturday.

This free concert with Papa Doo Run Run starts at 7 p.m. on Friday. The public is invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets or just mingle in the park and enjoy some great summer music.