Visitors to McCall Park and the Robert W. Willaford Train Museum may notice a new spring in their step as they listen to streamed music through the city’s new audio equipment that was installed last week throughout the park.
The weatherproof speakers are mounted on poles at the depot and in McCall Park and can be used for a variety of events held downtown as well as for background music in the park.
“I actually saw this in Sebring during its Soda Festival,” City Manager Bill McDaniel said. “They have a sound system built up through their downtown circle. I thought that was a great idea and could really be a huge benefit for the community.”
From 9 to 11 a.m. the speakers will play classical music and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. will play a Top 40 mix. The city pays for multiple music licenses to use music for things like Recreation and Parks activities and events downtown. Those licenses include McCall Park.
The music will softly play all through the eastern half of the park and if an event calls for it, can be cranked up to an impressive level to blast announcements through the area.
“Really what motivated us to do this was we saw the issue during Empty Bowls,” McDaniel said. “They had a small sound system and were struggling to get their announcements and entertainment heard throughout the massive crowd that attends the event every year. We thought we should have something in place to help ensure that doesn’t happen again.”
Now if an event is held downtown, the microphones being used can plug in directly to the city’s audio equipment. The same concept applies for any bands or live entertainment setting up. Instead of having to rely on their own speakers they can broadcast their music throughout the entire park with a few easy clicks of a button.
Unlike Sebring, which has to put up and take down the equipment for every use, Plant City decided to install weatherproof speakers. They should continue to play soft music throughout the park, rain or shine.