Forty years ago, Joe Killian, motivated by the idea of offering free concerts to New Yorkers, founded SummerStage in Central Park. Since then (and despite substantial hurdles, especially in its early days), SummerStage has grown into a New York City institution, bringing around 200,000 people each year to parks around the five boroughs.
On Sept. 10, at City Parks Foundation’s 2026 dinner and concert benefit fundraiser, Killian will be honored with the 2026 SummerStage Icon Award for founding and executive producing the festival from 1986-1993 (he continues to serve on the SummerStage board and is the founder of…
