Whoever would have thought Willie Nelson would headline a concert in LaGrange?

Local leadership, along with the Callaway Foundation, has wanted an amphitheater in downtown LaGrange for a number of years and the inaugural season of Sweetland Amphitheater at Boyd Park started out with a bang last year. Not only was there a successful concert series, headlined by Nelson, but other shows, a craft beer festival and the city’s annual Halloween events were moved to the venue for the year.

After years of trying to locate an amphitheater downtown, the decision to put it at Boyd Park was a good one. The pool that had been there for years was in decline and no longer usable. The construction project saved and revamped the unique entrance to the park as the amphitheater’s main gate and the property was naturally shaped on a hill for a stage and theater seating. The theater and the entire park is a fitting tribute to Jim and Annette Boyd, for which it is named. Annette Boyd’s Sweet Land of Liberty Parade has brought years of fun to the youth of the city; the amphitheater will only continue that solid tradition already in place and expand it to every age.

With the first season under its belt, theater directors and the city are only looking to make it better. Concerts set for this year intend to draw fans from a wide variety of interests. Officials would only like to make that audience wider and are looking for suggestions from residents.

We know there are people out there with great ideas. Great ideas are what’s gotten downtown this far.

Anyone with suggestions for the amphitheater or who might know someone who would like to perform at the venue is encouraged to contact Becca Eiland at beccae@downtownlagrange.com