NILES — Beverly Smith, of Cassopolis, has always loved music and history, so it’s no surprise that the band she plays the fiddle, banjo and guitar in has found a way to combine the two passions.

Known for bringing history to life through Americana style music, Waterbound will be the next to perform at Riverfront Park for the Summer Concerts in the Park series. The performance will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday at the amphitheater. The event is free and open to the public.

In addition to bringing music to the park, the concert series also seeks to raise awareness and funds for local nonprofits. This week’s featured nonprofit is Support the Fort — an organization whose efforts are to preserve the history of Fort St. Joseph.   

Waterbound is made up of three band members, including Smith, Steve Braden and Steve Seevers. Those who listen to will hear fiddle, mandolin, banjo, autoharp and guitar. 

“If it is portable and has strings, we likely play it,” Smith said.

Special for the Niles performance, Waterbound will play some pieces relevant to Niles history, including songs about the Underground Railroad, Civil War, farming and Riverboats. The bandmates will also be dressed in historically correct outfits from the 1800s.

“We do our research,” Smith said. “We do a lot of playing in Goshen for the Goshen historical society. We love to do that and go into to the internet or consult history books to find songs that people of the area might have done.”

Smith, who is a retired music teacher, emphasized that the concert will be family-friendly and include several opportunities for children to participate and help out musically with the concert.

“We plan to hand out some kazoos to the audience and have them play along with us,” Smith said.

Waterbound has performed at a number of venues, including dance halls, breweries and jam sessions. The band was formed about five years ago. In addition to Americana music, the band also plays Bluegrass, country blues and folk.

For Smith, historical songs have a certain authenticity that she said she feels is special.

“These are songs that were not created to make money,” Smith said. “They originated these songs just to please the people in their community.”

Smith encouraged people to check out the event and get a taste of history and music. 

“We can’t go in a time machine but I feel very close to history when I play the music they used to do,” Smith said. “We will have a good time. They will get a little bit of American history through music. It’s not what people will hear on the radio, but it is going to be worthwhile.”