Labor Day Weekend Concert Planned to Benefit 3 Parks

CASTAIC —  A citizens group has organized an all-day country music concert Labor Day weekend to benefit three county parks, a new sports complex and Castaic Lake.

Country singer Lacy J. Dalton will headline the Castaic Lake Country Music Jam that runs from noon to 11:30 p.m. Sept. 5. Also slated to appear are country-Western performers Kim Hand, Chris Rowdy, Kathy Talley, Brenda Lee Bays, South Bound and Southern Exposure.

Proceeds from the event will go toward the Castaic Lake Recreation Area, the Castaic Sports Complex and Del Valle, Hasley Canyon and Val Verde parks.

All five are funded by Los Angeles County and are feeling the effects of recent budget cuts. However, Friends of Castaic Lake organizers don’t plan to use the money to directly supplement county funding.

“We’re not trying to fill any void in the county treasury at this time,” said Ray Graeber, president of the volunteer group. “The money that’s raised from the event will be dedicated to our new sports complex and the county parks, including the lake area.”

Some of the revenue from the concert will be used to encourage bass breeding at the lake, Graeber said. Lake officials plan to purchase citrus branches and anchor them to the bottom of the lake, creating brush piles where fish are more apt to breed.

In addition, the Castaic Lake Recreation Area has had its hours cut and there is not enough money for maintenance and utility costs associated with the sports complex, which includes three new softball fields.

“This would be a buffer for them if something comes up again,” Jo Anne Darcy, field deputy for County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, said of the fund-raiser.

The Friends of Castaic Lake previously raised funds to repair docks, plant willow trees and buy a cement container to dump used charcoal.

Organizers of a Fourth of July fireworks show at the lake first suggested hosting a concert. Although they ran out of time to organize the music event, the discussion three months ago led to the idea of hosting concerts three times a year--Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

Admission is $10 for adults and free for children under 12. Organizers are also seeking sponsorship in the form of $100, $500 and $1,000 donations.