PILOT POINT — Some folks bring their lawn chairs, and others just park their vehicles nearby and roll down the windows.

As music fills the air, there’s plenty of space for the kids to run and play, and the price is downright nostalgic.

It’s Saturday night and time for another Ol’ Fashion Gazebo Gospel Gather’en in historic downtown Pilot Point.

“Every Saturday night, a different group comes to sing gospel and bluegrass,” the Rev. Philip M. Riegel said. “Sometimes, it’s old Southern gospel, and sometimes, it’s more contemporary.

“It’s totally free, no charge at all. People can relax and have a good time.”

Riegel, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Pilot Point and one of the organizers of the weekly gospel music program at the town gazebo, said the idea for the concerts grew out of a weekly meeting of area pastors.  

“We decided that we have so much talent, why don’t we get them to come up and do gospel music?” he said.

Organizers went to City Hall and reserved the gazebo through the summer. The weekly concerts started in April, and the current schedule calls for the program to continue from 7 to 9 p.m. each Saturday through August.

The concerts have featured performers from several area churches, Riegel said.

“During breaks, the pastor of the church gives a brief talk,” he said.

The music is finding an audience, Riegel said.

“People are turning out,” he said, adding that attendance has varied from 15 to 75 for past shows. “There are always people there to listen.”

In addition to the music, people seem to like the atmosphere provided by the simple setting, said the Rev. Bill Chastain, pastor of Church of the Simple Faith.

“You’re sitting in the old square, with brick buildings all around, and the sound reverberates off the buildings,” he said. “It’s comfortable and casual and friendly.

“The gazebo is completely surrounded by a parking area. The kids are safe, the music is good and people are friendly.”

Chastain has worked to organize and promote the gospel music program and posts regular updates on shows and performers at www.jamforthelamb.org.

Today’s show will feature Friends of Myrtle Hood.

Spontaneous Combustion and Bill Martin are scheduled to perform June 20 and June 27, respectively.

Booking performers for the shows has not always been a simple task, Riegel said.

“Most of the groups that we’ve gotten to play and want to come back are so popular that they’re booked for the rest of the summer,” he said.

Performers are not paid. Because the program is free, there is no budget to pay for entertainment, Riegel said.

Area musicians who are interested in performing can call Riegel at 940-686-2274 or Chastain at 940-365-2560.

In August, some concerts could move from the gazebo to the nearby Calvary Baptist Church at 125 N. Jefferson St., Riegel said, if the city needs to schedule another event on a Saturday.

“We have plans to move forward through August,” he said. “It’s a continuing process. If we don’t have the space, we’ll move over to Calvary. We’ll post it on the Web site.

“So far, we’ve been able to be there [at the gazebo].”

Chastain said the concerts provide a good activity for families.

“If they go there and throw out a blanket, it’s a way for them to kind of hang out together,” he said. “Little kids are tumbling and rolling in the grass, and adults, they feel kind of energized. Maybe they drop the gate on their pickup and kick their feet; they feel youthful and energized.”

LES COCKRELL can be reached at 940-566-6887. His e-mail address is lcockrell@dentonrc.com.