Throughout weekends in the summer, Champaign Park District is bringing a free concert series, Sounds at Sunset, to parks all around the city. This past weekend, Hi Ho Buffalo braved slowly approaching dark skies to bring some great (mid)Western Rock music to Mullikin Park on the west side of Champaign. While the crowd was a bit on the sparse side due to the encroaching storms, they were incredibly enthusiastic — cheering the band on to continue playing even when lightning started to strike nearby.
The music started shortly after 6 p.m. and was scheduled to go on until 8 p.m., but was shut down about 30 minutes early for safety reasons. It was a good thing too, because not long after the band finished their scramble to pack up and got into their cars the skies opened up and a night of thunderstorm, flash flood, and tornado warnings began. It was one heck of a send off for two of the band members, singer Katelyn and drummer William, who are leaving Champaign soon.
Sounds at Sunset will continue through the end of August, and you can view the schedule with locations, bands, and times here.
For more information about Hi Ho Buffalo, check them out on Facebook.
Below, front row seats.
Below, what is a concert without some dancing?
Below, the storm comes rolling in, but the band must play on!
Below, friends of the band pose for a goodbye and good luck photo.
Below, the rain is here so let’s pack up our gear:
