The city’s first Saturday in the Park concert happened this past weekend, and it drew hundreds to dance, drink and dine while House Red Band played.

All the while Mike Zappas and I worked the Atascadero Main Street beer booth, and oh how we worked it.

We were a virtual circus act juggling bottles of Pomar Junction wine and cracking the tops of beer bottles for celebrants from both near and far, though parts of that recollection could be skewed by my own beer talking.

We did serve with gusto, though, and there was plenty of fun had as we got to know our little bar’s new regulars, some of whom became quite generous with the tips as the evening wore on — we didn’t keep the tips though; all money went to Main Street, which serves our city’s downtown with business support and events.

The beer and wine booth will be back each weekend, along with Pacific Harvest Catering with a different gourmet menu every Saturday.

Mike Sherer is scheduled to do the wine-juggling July 17, while The JD Project plays the tunes. Whether or not Mike can keep up the juggling act for the duration, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., remains to be seen.

Throws down gauntlet

Challenge him, dear music goers, challenge him.

Visitors traveled from local residences and slightly more distant places, like one woman who said she drove in from Arroyo Grande just for our music. She told me, “I just love it here.”

And there’s no question why she did. There were families and friends, older people and younger, even babies wiggled to the wonderment of House Red Band.

The concerts are a time and place where city leaders and the working guy can share a laugh and a talk. People are there with no serious agenda so nearly everyone is approachable and friendly and just having fun living or visiting Atascadero.