Couple who first met at Twilight Concert Series becomes engaged before crowd at Zittel Family Amphitheater
What began as a summer evening of live music, dancing and community gathering in Historic Folsom turned into something far more memorable Thursday night when a surprise marriage proposal unfolded before hundreds attending the Twilight Concert Series.
The special moment came during intermission of the series’ second concert of the season as Sacramento’s Sugar High Band paused between sets after delivering a high-energy opening performance that had much of the crowd on its feet dancing at the Zittel Family Amphitheater. As concertgoers settled back into lawn chairs and blankets spread across the amphitheater lawn, Twilight Concert Series emcee Ian Cornell took the stage to recognize sponsors and share information about upcoming events. Among the announcements was what appeared to be a routine giveaway from one of the series sponsors, Snook’s Candies & Chocolate Factory.
Cornell announced that a gift card winner had been selected and called out the name Lori Zacher. Like everyone else in attendance, Zacher appeared to believe she had simply won a prize. As she made her way toward the stage, however, she quickly discovered there was much more waiting for her than a gift card. Alongside her was boyfriend, Mark Davis, who had quietly spent weeks planning a surprise that would become one of the most memorable moments in the history of the popular summer concert series.
Before the crowd fully realized what was happening, Davis dropped to one knee and asked Zacher to marry him. Within moments, applause, cheers and whistles echoed across the amphitheater as spectators realized they were witnessing far more than a sponsor giveaway. The answer came quickly. Zacher said yes, prompting another round of celebration from the crowd as the couple embraced on stage before the evening’s entertainment resumed.
What made the proposal particularly meaningful was that Historic Folsom’s Twilight Concert Series was not simply the location chosen for the engagement. It was where the couple first met. According to those involved, a chance encounter at the popular summer concert series eventually grew into a relationship that flourished, making Thursday night’s proposal a full-circle moment years in the making.
Like many couples planning a future together, Davis and Zacher had already discussed marriage and even selected rings. While Zacher knew a proposal would eventually happen, she had no idea when Davis intended to officially ask the question. For Davis, there was only one place that truly made sense. He wanted to propose where their story began, surrounded by the atmosphere, music and community that brought them together in the first place.
Pulling off the surprise required a team of willing accomplices. Davis quietly coordinated the plan with organizers from the Folsom Historic District Association, Twilight Concert Series emcee Ian Cornell and members of Sugar High Band, all of whom eagerly agreed to participate. Historic District staff even looped Folsom Times into the plan to capture the special moment. Together, this team behind the scenes developed the perfect setup. The fake gift card giveaway would provide a believable reason to bring Zacher to the stage without raising suspicion, while Davis waited nearby for the moment he had carefully planned. By all accounts, the surprise worked flawlessly.
For most of those gathered Thursday night, the evening will be remembered as another enjoyable night of music in Historic Folsom. For Mark Davis and Lori Zacher, it will forever be remembered as the night the place where they first met became the place where they decided to spend the rest of their lives together.
Presented by Bernau Development Corporation in partnership with the Folsom Historic District Association, the Twilight Concert Series continues each Thursday evening through Aug. 27 at the Zittel Family Amphitheater. Following Sugar High Band’s performance, the series returns next week with Invisible Son – Police Tribute before continuing throughout the summer with Wayward Buffalo, Steelin’ Dan, Lyric Michelle Band, Hipper than Hip, AKAlive Band, LVVS, Dunsbar Road, Wayside Band, Daze on the Green and Adam Aldama & The Aces.
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