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Menlo Park’s July 16 summer concert series show was abruptly canceled after “unforeseen circumstances” put a damper on the evening. The culprit? Irrigation sprinklers at Fremont Park switched on just as the band was getting ready around 4:30 p.m.
The sprinkler system malfunctioned and, while the sound system shut down automatically, the city was advised to cancel the concert due to safety concerns, according to Menlo Park spokesperson Kendra Calvert.
Busta Groove!, a Motown-inspired wedding and corporate-events band, had been scheduled to go on at 6 p.m. as part of the city’s eight-week summer concert series showcasing local musicians.
Public works is investigating what caused the sprinkler malfunction to avoid any future cancelations, according to Calvert. No equipment was damaged.
It is not the end for the series as the July 23 concert is set to go on as scheduled featuring The Refugees, a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tribute band.
While this week’s music was canceled, some Menlo Park residents were determined not to let a little water ruin their night. Around 134 attendees stayed and had a picnic at the park.
The crowd did not hear any classic hits by Earth, Wind & Fire from one of America’s 15 best wedding bands, but an unnamed local resident gave a “spirited performance” on stage with a guitar, Calvert said.
Hi. There was no “malfunction”. The sprinklers have been running daily at that time for at least the last 4 weeks or more (personally seen it daily). I honestly thought they have been purposely set that way to “move along” some of our “guests” who have been spending the late afternoon sleeping there. I hope our public works department can investigate. My guess, given the best time to water is before dawn, is that the “team” who set the water controller did not change it to AM, and (somehow) left it on PM…