Together they saw the potential for providing the Decatur area with great local entertainment, statewide public relations and a wealth of college-age staff qualified to work in a broad array of recreation programs. Initially the cast was comprised of park leaders and remained as such throughout the seventies. At one time as many as 32 singers crowded the stage. In the mid-1980s, however, this leveled off to the 16 vocalists and 9 instrumentalists you see today. The group has performed at the 1982 Knoxville World's Fair, President Reagan's 1984 campaign stop in Decatur, the 1987 International Special Olympics, a 1988 visit to Decatur's sister city of Tokorozawa, Japan, and on Park District Conservation Day at the Illinois State Fair in 1995 and 1996.
Cast members are all college-age students from throughout Illinois and surrounding states.
It's a performing-working combination that has set the Park Singers apart as a unique summer job experience benefiting both the cast and the city of Decatur. The Decatur Park Singers are great ambassadors for the Decatur Park District and park districts throughout the state of Illinois.