Park in Tom Petty's Hometown Renamed in His Honor
A park in Gainesville, Florida, the hometown of Tom Petty, was renamed on Saturday in what would have been the 68th birthday of the renowned musician.
The former Northeast Park was a regular destination for the leader of the Heartbreakers, before and after achieving fame. The name change ceremony was part of a series of events throughout the city over the weekend, and was held in front of hundreds of attendees, including friends and family.
"My brother and I grew up in this park," said Petty's younger brother, Bruce, during the ceremony, according Gainesville Sun. "My cousin reminded me the other day of my observation that it was a sanctuary, and it really was. It was a place to escape and be children and have fun. The fact that we are doing this today, and the role we play in it, makes it much more special."
"Gainesville is an extraordinary place and if you listen to my dad's music here, it has a different meaning," said Petty's daughter, Adria. "The idea that the air smells good and the trees are green, there's nothing like this park to really illustrate it."
Among the other events was the performance of several local bands playing Petty songs, including a presentation of the Bayjacks, with the participation of Tom Leadon, a former member of the old Petty group, Mudcrutch.
Artists Carrie and Jesus Martinez auctioned a mural to raise funds for a local arts program in medicine. "We hope to earn a lot of money for a good cause," Carrie said. "We are Tom Petty fans. Everyone is a fan of Tom Petty."
Copyright © 2018, ClassicRockA-Z. All rights reserved.
