The tradition continues with a wonderful concert to set the mood for your Christmas holiday. The Parsons Chamber of Commerce, Labette County Tourism and the Parsons Municipal Auditorium are giving the community an early gift this year when they present "A Main Street Christmas Concert" featuring The Duke Mason Band on Saturday, December 1 at 7:00 p.m. at the Parsons Municipal Auditorium. The concert will be a family-friendly event and admission is free of charge, although the Parsons Police Dept., "Shop With A Cop" program will receive the free-will offering.

Duke is no stranger to Parsons. While music fans in the area are aware of his incredible musical talents, they might not know that Christmas is Duke's favorite holiday. In fact, he doesn't need to wait for the season to roll around, as he's been known to burst out singing a carol or holiday classic whenever the mood hits him. In 2017, the Duke Mason Band released their first-ever Christmas CD titled "I Believe" featuring 14 songs including Duke's original song "I Believe."

Duke will be joined on stage by his traveling road band, The Duke Mason Band. The five-piece band is comprised of seasoned and talented musicians, which compliments Duke's performance style. For this year's holiday show Duke has selected a wide variety of songs that include children's favorites and holiday classics, all mixed with unique arrangements of lesser known seasonal tunes that share what the true meaning of Christmas is all about.

In addition to Duke and his band, "A Main Street Christmas Concert," will feature special guests including one making an appearance from many miles North of Parsons....someone who is extremely busy this time of year.....one who particularly pays attention to "good little boys and girls!"

For this concert Duke and the band have waived their standard performance fee and will be providing their services free
of charge. In keeping with the spirit of giving to others during the holidays, Duke has asked that the freewill offering be
taken during the concert and all monetary donations be used to help support this worthy cause.

This year, the Parsons Police Department has reinstated their "Shop With A Cop" event and will be funded with the donations collected from the concert and donation boxes. This is similar to Carthage Police Department's program held for the past 11 years in honor of Duke's father-in-law, Steve Benjamin who, for many years, hosted a "Christmas Open House" at his home.

"Shop With A Cop" is a community outreach program which will pair a deserving child with a Parsons Police Department officer who will shop for items for themselves and their families. There will also be another opportunity to donate to this commendable project if you are unable to attend the concert. Donation boxes for monetary donations will be placed in the City of Parsons, Water Department, in the lobby at the Parsons Police Department, and will be accepted through
December 12.

So breakout the eggnog, put on that hideously ugly sweater, or whatever it takes to get in the holiday spirit and plan to
attend "A Main Street Christmas Concert" featuring The Duke Mason Band and guests on Saturday, December 1 at 7:00
p.m. at the Parsons Municipal Auditorium, 112 South 17th Street, Parsons, KS. The show is free of charge, and all seating
is general admission. Doors to the auditorium are scheduled to open at 6:30 p.m. "A Main Street Christmas Concert" is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and Labette County Tourism in cooperation with The City of Parsons and the
Parsons Municipal Auditorium.

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