The Fremont Park bandstand was re-dedicated Thursday evening before the Municipal Band concert in the park.
The Wayman family made the renovations possible through the memorial donations of Charles Wayman, who died in 2007. Before Wayman died, he expressed a desire to have memorial contributions in his name go to a project that would benefit Emporia, said his daughter, Karen Sommers. A fund was set up through the Emporia Community Foundation. Previously, ESB Financial supported the restoration of the bandstand as well, said Sommers, who works at ESB Financial. Before Sommers spoke, Emporia Mayor Jeff Longbine thanked the Wayman family for their help in the improvements to the bandstand.
The bandstand boasted new steps, a new concrete pad surrounding it and a sidewalk leading up to it. A large crowd gathered on the lawn on a cool evening to hear tunes from American composers in an “All-American Concert.” Music included tunes from E.E. Bagley, James Swearingen, John Philip Sousa, Woody Guthrie, George Gershwin and others.