The highly anticipated Fourth of July Parade and celebration on Coronado is right around the corner, and Katleen Dugas will kick off the music side of this event with a concert for kids at 3 p.m. at the Coronado Golf Course on Independence Day.
Dugas will perform for an hour and be on the 14th fairway. She was a hit last year, and sang Disney songs so organizers expect another afternoon of fun for children.
After Dugas comes IT’S NEVER 2L8 and PHT & The Honkey Tonk Nights performing at 4 p.m. and 5:45 p.m., respectively. And there’s a Patriot Concert with the Coronado Concert Band at 4 p.m. in Spreckels Park.
Performing on 14th fairway
Rob Kracht, Coronado Fourth of July president, said people interested in staying for all three concerts at the golf course are welcome to make themselves comfortable as all three performers are playing on the 14th fairway.
“The fairways and short rough on the back nine of the Coronado Golf course will serve as a community picnic area. People can bring their own canopies, blankets, chairs, and games. We will mark off a ‘dance floor’ near the stage, but chairs and blankets will be welcome outside of that area,” said Kracht.
Following Dugas’ concert for the kids, IT’S NEVER 2L8, led by Coronado’s Chris Nurding, will play from 4 to 5:30 p.m. In addition, IT’S NEVER 2L8 also will be playing live aboard “The Wonderbus” during the parade.
First time to play in hometown
According to Nurding, this is the first time he and his band have had the honor to play at this event. His hope is that their performance as the opening act this year could earn the band a spot as the headliner for future events.
IT’S NEVER 2L8 is made up of a four person crew, with Nurding being the leader.
The group specializes in rock and pop music from the 1980s that they know will get their audience on their feet and dancing, he said.
According to Nurding, some of their favorite songs to perform — and tunes you can expect at the concert — include “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and “Sweet Caroline.”
Nurding is a fourth generation Coronado resident, and explained he’s wanted to perform in Coronado’s Fourth of July Parade ever since his mother appeared in the parade as the first Miss Coronado in 1952.
It has always been a dream of mine to follow in my late mother’s footsteps, and perform in the Coronado Independence Day Parade.”
-Chris Nurding of IT’S NEVER 2L8
“It has always been a dream of mine to follow in my late mother’s footsteps, and perform in the Coronado Independence Day Parade,” Nurding continued, “This year we’re the opening act but it is our sincere hope that we will return next year to ‘rock the bay’ as the headliner.”
Headliner is PHT & The Honky Tonk Nights
As for the headliner, that honor goes to PHT & The Honky Tonk Nights.
Kracht said personally “scouted” the band last year at a show in Ramona, the hometown of the band.
Kracht said he considered seven different bands for the headliner role this year, but PHT & Honky Tonk Nights’ experience playing in last year’s parade led Kracht to select them.
Expect a heavy dose of modern country and rock, according to band leader Patrick Trampus.
“We play anything from Neil Diamond to Jason Aldean. Our goal is to have a song for every person in the audience,” said Trampus.
PHT & The Honky Tonk Nights is a five person band that’s been together for two years.
According to Trampus, each member of the group has decades of experience performing live.
Last year the group performed on the Wonderbus during the daytime event.
“Last year was incredible. It is a huge honor to be playing during our country’s Independence Day celebration on Coronado island,” Trampus said.
Lead singer a retired police officer
Like Nurding, Trampus is a San Diego native and grew up in East County.
He’s spent his whole life in the area, and is a retired Chula Vista police officer. Trampus said he’s thrilled to be able to perform for his community.
Coronado has such a strong military presence and rich military history. It’s going to be a special day and one we will remember for a long time.”
-Patrick Howard Trampus, lead singer of PHT & The Honkey Tonk Nights.
“Coronado has such a strong military presence and rich military history. It’s going to be a special day and one we will remember for a long time,” said Trampus.
After PHT & The Honky Tonk Nights wrap up their show, Kracht recommends staying on the 14th fairway—or any of the other nearby holes on the back nine of the golf course—to view the 9 p.m. fireworks show.
According to Kracht, if you aren’t around the golf course the seawall walkway and Glorietta Bay Park also will provide excellent views of the fireworks.
