A record number of people attended Thursday night’s Seymour CityJam concert featuring Hoosier country music artist Jake Dodds.

It could have been the weather or the music that attracted the estimated 500 people, but event organizers say it likely had to do with the venue.

The concert was the first event to take place in downtown Seymour’s new Crossroads Community Park, and people were curious to see it up close, said Becky Schepman, executive director of Seymour Main Street.

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That organization is a sponsor of the summer concert series, now in its sixth year.

The pavilion, restrooms and grassy area in the park provide an inviting atmosphere for concerts and other events, Schepman said.

Thursday night’s concert brought in more than double the attendance of past CityJam shows, she added.

She also was excited to see a younger demographic take interest.

Due to some minor landscaping issues, the park hasn’t officially opened yet, and Thursday’s concert was considered a test run.

But Schepman said everything aligned perfectly for a successful event.

“We had a new venue, an awesome country act and we had perfect weather,” she said. “I think they were all contributing factors.”

Chandra Campbell of Seymour said she and her family had a great time at the show.

“The new park is a very nice venue,” she said. “It was great to see so many people being downtown enjoying themselves. Great job to everyone who made the event and park such a success,” she said.

Although some people have said the park should never have been built between two active rail lines, others say the potential for trains coming through doesn’t bother them.

Kevin Greene attended the show and sat about half way up the lawn facing the stage.

“I’m not sure a train coming through would have been that noticed,” he said. “It was a great setting, great crowd and perfect evening.”

Susie Bowman of Seymour said she was impressed by the size of the crowd, and surprised that traffic on U.S. 50 didn’t create more of a noise issue.

Schepman said the location does not take away from the park or events that take place there.

“I think that the park is a great asset and I am excited about more events to come,” she said.

Other CityJam concerts scheduled at the park are Those Darn Torpedoes, a Tom Petty tribute band on Aug. 16 and The Louisville Crashers on Sept. 20.

Also being planned at Crossroads Community Park is a free showing of the Disney Pixar movie “Monsters Inc.” on Oct. 19 and a Seymour Brew Festival next summer.

She has little concern about whether the park is safe.

“I felt there were no safety risks while we were at the show,” she said. “We are confident that it is a safe place for families to visit and have fun.”

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Upcoming Seymour CityJam Concerts

Aug. 16 – Those Darn Torpedoes, a Tom Petty tribute band

Sept. 20 – The Louisville Crashers

Times: 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Where: Crossroads Community Park in downtown Seymour

Cost: The show is free. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from The Pines, Bartholomew County Beverage and Chillicen, starting at 6 p.m.

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