It was a great evening for some music outdoors as the first concert in the park was held last night in Portage la Prairie.

The weekly event happens ever Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. through July and August at Island Park. Last night's show was headlined by the Sharpe Sisters after Albert Klein opened the concert. Creator Annette Heal says they're in their seventh year of concerts in the park and it continues to grow.

"We've got so many local sponsors this year and that enables us to keep things free for the community. We're just so happy to see all these people out supporting the event, the local music, it really is a dream come true."

The park was packed for Concerts in the Park Thursday in Portage. (Photo by Aaron Wilgosh)

Heal says live music is one thing she's always felt Portage was lacking, and it's one of the reasons she started the event.

"The by-product of this whole thing is people come each week and start to build friendships with other people that are coming. It's just really neat to see the community brought together because of a shared experience.