One of Columbus’ most treasured summer events, Picnic with the Pops, returns June 16, bringing symphonic pops to life under the stars. And, the new Columbus Symphony Orchestra Principal Pops Conductor, Stuart Chafetz, will debut during the performance, which features rock group, Little River Band. If you’ve never been to Picnic with the Pops, don’t miss the chance to experience CSO in a fun, relaxed way. Plus, we have tickets for one lucky winner, so keep reading to find out how to win.
The Little River Band will join the symphony for an evening of their hits from the ’70s and ’80s, like “Lonesome Loser” and “Take It Easy on Me.” Plus, with Chavetz on the baton, you’ll see one of the leading pops conductors in the country. And, as the name implies, to enhance your evening of music, pack (or purchase) your picnic of choice. Load up on your favorites, including an adult beverage or two. Then, just sit back, relax, munch, sip and soak in the music al fresco.
Picnic with the Pops returns to the Columbus Bicentennial Pavilion in the Columbus Commons. First, choose from lawn seating or table seating. Lawn seating tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the gate, and just $10 for children 3 - 12. And, you can bring blankets or lawn chairs to make yourself right at home. Or, spring for tables of eight or 10, which range from $336 - $830 per table. You can also buy single table seats for $45 - $85 each. Tickets for all options are available online, ticketmaster, or at the CAPA Ticket Center at 39 East State Street. And, take advantage of group discounts for parties of 15 or more.
Picnic Options
If you are the type to sit back and let others do the heavy lifting, choose catering. Catering by Design is the exclusive caterer for the event, though you can use outside caterers within certain guidelines. Or, you can buy on-site from Catering by Design or Tortilla Street Food and Jeni’s Ice Cream. Finally, BYOP--just pack whatever strikes your fancy, including beer and wine. Just make sure your cooler is less than 2.5 feet high.
Transportation Options
If you drive, find parking in the Columbus Commons Main Parking Garage at 55 East Rich Street or the underground garage at 191 South Third. Or, go with COTA, whose downtown routes offer a great options, especially the popular (and free) CBUS. Love to bike? You’ll also find bike racks throughout Columbus Commons for your convenience. Getting around downtown couldn't be easier.
Remaining Picnic with the Pops Schedule
Rick Springfield—June 23
Patriotic Pops with the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus—June 30
Music of Billy Joel and More Starring Michael Cavanaugh—July 7
Hanson String Theory—July 14
Tchaikovsky Spectacular—July 20
Brian McKnight—July 21
The Ohio State University Marching Band—July 27-28
So, are you ready to go? We've got two tickets for Picnic with the Pops with Little River Bend up for grabs. Head over to our Facebook page and let us know which events in Columbus Commons are your favorites for a chance to win.