MERIDIAN, Ida. — The City of Meridian is getting ready for a big celebration this weekend in honor of Gene Kleiner Day!
The community is holding a free concert on Saturday, June 8, to honor the generosity of the day's namesake who donated the 60-acre, $25 million Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park to the city and its residents. Gene made the donation in honor of his late father, Julius, who once farmed and operated the land on which the park now sits until his passing in 1972.
“Gene Kleiner had a philanthropic heart, and it’s important that we continue to celebrate that; this park is a treasure for residents and visitors of Meridian,” said Meridian Mayor Tammy de Weerd. “His incredible donation has created a lasting legacy each of us can enjoy and challenges us to pay it forward in countless new acts of service, either large or small, across the community and beyond.”
A free concert performed by the Meridian Symphony Orchestra in the Kleiner Park Band Shell begins at 7:00 p.m. The performance, geared toward audience members of all ages, includes several popular pieces, including Antonin Dvorak's "Symphony #9 (New World) Finale" and the John Philip Sousa March featuring kid conductors.
Attendees are encouraged to bring folding chairs or blankets for seating and are welcome to bring picnics. Coned pizza will be on-site with easy-to-handle pizza rolls. Atomic Pops will have fresh fruit popsicles and Windy's Whip & Drizzle will have sweet treats!
Julius M. Kleiner Memorial Park is located at 1900 N. Records Avenue in Meridian. The nearly 60-acre park is situated behind The Village at Meridian at the corner of Eagle Road and Fairview. The park boasts 3.3 miles of walking paths, a growing tree arboretum, two fishing ponds, the Rock of Honor Veterans Memorial, the new Memorial Plaza, a community garden and full spectrum of youth play equipment.
To keep up with everything happening in Meridian, check out the city's website here. You can also stay informed through social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
