03:01 PM PDT on Saturday, June 14, 2008

By JENNIFER DEAN
The Press-Enterprise

Get ready for a night of swingin' music among the orange groves as the summer concert series kicks off at the California Citrus State Historic Park in Riverside.

The Riverside Concert Band -- in existence since 1876 -- will start the season at the first concert this Friday.

There will be five evening concerts in the picnic grounds of the park throughout June and July, said Vickie Buchanan, park volunteer and band organizer.

"We usually get pretty close to a thousand people attending," she said.

Last year was the only time in 15 years the Riverside Concert Band wasn't booked to open the summer concert season. And they were missed by the fans, Buchanan said.

"We are glad to have them back to start off the season again this year."

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"There's a nice breeze and it's probably more comfortable than your own backyard," said park volunteer Vickie Buchanan.

The band plays about 20 concerts each year and has about 50 members.

"We are the oldest all-volunteer band that plays year-round in the United States," said Riverside Concert Band's business manager Aleda Barden.

"We're like a big family," she said. "Our people come from all over -- as far away as Big Bear, to Lake Elsinore and everything in between."

The band will play from 6:30 to 8 p.m., and, according to Barden, the band's repertoire includes a mix of marches, show tunes, big band, Dixieland jazz and patriotic songs. The event is free to the public; picnic and barbecue facilities will also be available.

"There's a food vendor where people can buy things like snow cones and hot dogs," Buchanan said. "And volunteers will sell fresh-squeezed orange juice."

It's a nice way to spend a summer evening, she said.

"Even when it's 106 degrees, there's a nice breeze and it's probably more comfortable than your own backyard."

Reach Jennifer Dean at 951-368-9336 or jdean@PE.com