Marine View Presbyterian Church will be holding its eighth annual Browns Point Concert in the Park series, and with food, music and great weather, the event is a perfect summer outing for the entire family.

Jim Foster has been coordinating this event since its inception, and he affirms that it is a way to reach out to the community. “People in Northeast Tacoma and Federal Way are the places where our congregation is split, which includes Dash Point and Browns Point. This is a musical event that we build a reputation on as an inviting church. It’s outreach, really.”

The event starts at 5 p.m. with dinner, courtesy of the church, which includes hot dogs, chips and soda, but attendees can also opt to bring their own picnic dinners instead. Music for the event begins at 6 p.m., and there will be three groups taking the stage at Browns Point Lighthouse Park. According to Foster, some musical groups over the years have been members of the church and others have not. “For the past two years there were outside groups, but the first five years it was always church groups.”

This year, entertainment consists of three internal church ensembles. First is SoundView, a women’s quartet, composed of ladies who have sung together for a few years now, and will be backed by a rhythm section; second, the Marine View Youth Praise Band is made up of teenagers who attend church and typically are made up of 12-13 players and singers of contemporary Christian music. It also features a keyboard, drums, two guitars, bass player, and seven vocalists; and another praise band, internally known as Worship Music Team, the band that plays at Marine View’s regular services and features a similar line-up as the youth band.

Whether visitors are Christian, questioning or not, there will be a lot taking place during Concert in the Park that will appeal to many different types of people and families. “It’s free, outreach, a great venue, we have a terrific sound system, the setting is perfect, and it will be a perfect temperature near the water with the Olympics in the background. It’s not just for people in the area, but also for those who enjoy music whether Christian or not. There will be good music and fellowship. It’s a way to meet your neighbors and people,” Foster stated.

Organized games for the younger sets of kids in attendance will also be out and set up around 5 p.m.  

“The music is really the highlight. Over the years we’ve had some really good music, and we’ve put a lot of effort into the event,” he affirmed.

The eighth annual Browns Point Concert in the Park will be taking place on July 26 at 5 p.m. at Browns Point Lighthouse Park, 201 Tulalip St. N.E. Visitors are advised to carpool or walk if possible, as nearby parking is limited. For more information, visit www.marineviewpc.org.