Picnic in the Park Season Opens with Music and Community at Fike Park
June 4, 2026
The first Picnic in the Park event of the summer season brought community members together at Fike Park during the lunch hour of June 3, as the Colby Convention and Visitors Bureau hosted Gary Wiggins and the Dirt Roads Band for an hour of live music and fellowship.
Under mostly cloudy skies, residents gathered across the park to take in the performance. While a steady breeze drifted across the lawn, it provided a refreshing backdrop for an otherwise pleasant time.
Colby Kiwanis Club and Hi-Plains Coop volunteered to provide lunch service consisting of hotdogs, chips, and cookies. With plates in hand, the community came together for a refreshing break from their daily grind.
As the concert began, families, friends, and visitors gradually filled the park. Some spread blankets across the grass while others relaxed in lawn chairs, all enjoying the band's blend of gospel, bluegrass, and folk-inspired music.
Wiggins and the Dirt Band featured Gary Wiggins on guitar and vocals, Monica Bugbee Miller on vocals, Susan McLamore on banjo and vocals, Bob McLamore on guitar and vocals, Chance Marble on stand-up bass, guitar, and vocals, Arien Ziegelmeir on guitar and vocals, and Carson Schmidt on stand-up bass and mandolin.
Throughout the hour, the musicians took turns singing lead vocals while seamlessly blending together as a group. Their setlist included original songs inspired by Colby and northwest Kansas, along with familiar favorites that resonated with the audience.
One of the highlights came when the band performed John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads." The well-known classic prompted several audience members to quietly sing along, adding another layer of enjoyment to the performance.
Children could be seen playing throughout the park while the music filled the air. Small groups of community members gathered across the lawn, each enjoying the event in their own way. Yet despite being spread throughout the park, the music created a shared experience that connected everyone in attendance.
The band later performed a song in honor of their late friend, Larry Booth, creating a heartfelt moment that reflected the close-knit nature of the local music community.
As it became time to go back to work, the combination of live music, cool temperatures, and community fellowship made for a successful start to the 2026 Picnic in the Park season. The day served as a reminder of the simple joys of gathering with neighbors, enjoying local talent, and spending time outdoors in one of Colby's most beloved public spaces.