When it comes to marketing Macon, its music history and famous musicians are some of the biggest draws.
The city’s love of music takes center stage Sunday at Rosa Parks Square for the community’s 10th observance of Make Music Day from 3 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. The event is free, family-friendly and open to the public.
Through a 2017 Downtown Challenge grant from the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, organizer Gloria Stanley first joined the international celebration that began in France in 1982 and has grown to more than 2,000 cities worldwide.
“I’m really happy that I have great support from the city of Macon and those that worked with me on this project,” Stanley told the Downtown Macon Community Association early this month. “We should have, hopefully, a lot of fun. So I’m asking people to come out.”
Stanley said this year’s theme, “Summer Breeze,” offers an open-mic jam featuring gospel, soul and reggae genres. She said it’s a perfect way to celebrate families’ special men on Father’s Day.
The biannual Make Music Day event, held on the summer and winter solstices, encourages musicians to take up their instruments and perform in the public square.
Community celebrations also embrace their own flavor and seasonal themes.
For instance, some cities hosting the FIFA World Cup will feature sounds from countries playing matches that weekend.
Additionally, along Route 66, musicians will perform selections such as “Every Day is A Winding Road” to mark the 100th anniversary of the highway that connects Chicago and Santa Monica, California.
Other participating states plan a “Sousapalooza” to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary and honor John Philip Sousa, the composer of many U.S. military marches.
— Peyton Anderson Civic Journalism Senior Fellow Liz Fabian covers Macon-Bibb County government entities for The Macon Newsroom and can be reached at [email protected] or 478-301-2976.
