Cathy Brown, originally from Cape Cod, got a job offer in 1995 to come to San Diego to be the marketing and sales director for New Directions and Lifestyles, which had six summer programs at UCSD that mostly focused on fitness and weight loss.
Previously Brown said she had tried everything: She was a radio talk show host and even an elected public official.
Brown has now been in the San Diego area for 28 years and since then, she has become very involved in volunteer work in Coronado.
“When you come to a community, either if you have children you will get to meet people or if you are in the military you will have a natural circle of friends that would start” said Brown. “I didn’t have any of those.”
So, she started volunteering and one of those events she’s involved with is the Coronado Summer Concert Series at Spreckels Park.
Involvement began 13 years ago
Her involvement began 13 years ago when Coronado residents Floyd Ross and Carrie Downey were working their way to turning the event into a non-profit entity.
Ross asked if Brown would be interested in being part of the Inaugural Ball.
She said “yes,” and is still putting on the event.
Now its president, she said the majority of board has been together for over 10 years.
“When everyone does their part the work is spread out evenly. I learned a long time ago you delegate and surround yourself with good, qualified and effective people” said Brown.
Concert series coming soon
The event is just around the corner.
The concert series begins at 4:30 p.m. on May 28, and it last until September 3. The first performers are the Coronado Concert Band.
The concert is a big community tradition that everyone is welcome to enjoy, she said.
Coronado Promenade Concerts (CPC) produces and manages the annual series and this year there will be 16 concerts across the five months sponsored by business patrons and other individuals.
“People are looking to dance and that is what we give them.”
Cathy Brown.
“People are looking to dance and that is what we give them” said Brown
New bands this summer
Salsa, country, swing, community bands, military bands, top 40, and tribute bands and many more all perform, she said, adding there are eight new bands this summer.
The event does not receive any public funds, and is a 100% volunteer based entity, she said.
“Get involved with things that you love, because then it’s not work,” said Brown.
Brown said the Concerts in the Park also could be a healthy outlet for those dealing with mental health issues.
While Brown is a key player in the concert series, she said she had to find her way to meet people and create her own way to get involved in Coronado.
Community of friends
She first got involved in the Coronado Junior Woman’s Club, which she says has created a long lasting community group of friends.
Brown also has been on several different boards with women she has met through the club, and she now is a part of the Coronado Woman’s Club.
In 2012, Brown was invited to a kick off event to have the Rady Children’s Hospital auxiliary be created in Coronado.
She became the first treasurer and 10 years later still holds the same position, as that group wanted to find a fundraiser for a new hospital.
Add Turkey Trot to her list of events
With the help of Brown’s mother, Coronado also added a Turkey Trot 5k run.
Previously, residents would have to go over the Coronado Bridge to take part in the Thanksgiving tradition, she said.
But Brown and her team just had their ninth year as a race this past year and 10 years of hosting the event all together.
In 2012 on Facebook, they announced they were going to hold a non-timed race and for the people in the community to come out who were interested.
She said about 300 people showed up to the Turkey Trot, and the group ordered 100 medals and distributed all of them to kids.
In November 2023, when the 10th annual Coronado Turkey Trot will take place, the net proceeds will be raised for Rady Children’s Hospital.
