Photo courtesy the Delta County Historical Society Above, the Karas Bandshell can be seen mid-construction in this photo from June 19, 1956. The bandshell is named after Frank Karas — born Frantisek Karas in a small town near Prague in what is now the Czech Republic — who was one of the band’s early directors. Karas died July 4, 1948, and by 1953 annual benefit concerts for the Karas Memorial Bandshell fund were well-underway, with 1954’s concert drawing around 200 local musicians to the Escanaba Junior High School Auditorium. This year, as the Escanaba City Band is celebrating 100 years of bringing music to the city, the concerts held at the band shell include guest conductors who lead the first song of the evening — similar to baseball’s first pitch. Frank Karas’ great-grandson, Erik Karas will be guest director during the 7:30 p.m. performance Wednesday at the band shell. The Karas family will also be in attendance. During the concert, the bandshell will be rededicated with a new plaque recognizing the Karas Bandshell as the official home of the Escanaba City Band and commemorating the band’s 100th season.

Photo courtesy the Delta County Historical Society

Above, the Karas Bandshell can be seen mid-construction in this photo from June 19, 1956. The bandshell is named after Frank Karas — born Frantisek Karas in a small town near Prague in what is now the Czech Republic — who was one of the band’s early directors. Karas died July 4, 1948, and by 1953 annual benefit concerts for the Karas Memorial Bandshell fund were well-underway, with 1954’s concert drawing around 200 local musicians to the Escanaba Junior High School Auditorium. This year, as the Escanaba City Band is celebrating 100 years of bringing music to the city, the concerts held at the band shell include guest conductors who lead the first song of the evening — similar to baseball’s first pitch. Frank Karas’ great-grandson, Erik Karas will be guest director during the 7:30 p.m. performance Wednesday at the band shell. The Karas family will also be in attendance. During the concert, the bandshell will be rededicated with a new plaque recognizing the Karas Bandshell as the official home of the Escanaba City Band and commemorating the band’s 100th season.