Smith: Kenwood gazebo to be dedicated in memory of Glen Ellen boy

Memories of 5-year-old Bobby Musser-Kirby will be powerfully present at Kenwood’s Plaza Park on Saturday for the dedication of a lovingly handcrafted gazebo.

A noontime ceremony around the gazebo will precede the annual Kenwood Jazz, Blues and BBQ. The gazebo honors Bobby, the Sonoma Valley boy who died in 2009 when a tree toppled onto his dad’s truck as they drove on Bennett Valley Road.

Called “A Building of Tears” by chief construction volunteer Don MacNair, the gazebo also memorializes other local children whose lives ended far too soon. A shade garden created alongside the gazebo honors late Sonoma Valley residents Candace Heim-Serrano and Glory Whitehead.

The gazebo project was completed with the help of major funding from Bobby’s family and donors from throughout Sonoma Valley and beyond. The partnering Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation has contributed with the sale of memorial plaques and benches.

The festival of food, music and community that follows the gazebo dedication will generate money for future improvements to Plaza Park and other county parks.

The dedication ceremony is free. Tickets to Jazz, Blues and BBQ are available through brownpapertickets.com, and they will be sold at the park on Saturday.