MARYSVILLE – The Not Its! showed they do, in fact, have “it” as they entertained a few hundred people at the city’s first Children’s Concert July 8.

The Seattle group had those in attendance jumping and smiling to their original tunes.

“They’re the best children’s group around right now,” city parks director Jim Ballew said.

He said the city decided to have the concerts for kids because of the success of the one in Everett and “because of the young families moving in” to town. They also wanted to try something midday in the middle of the week.

Moms, dads and grandparents joined in at the Summer Concert Series event near the fountain at Jennings Park.

The band focused on being interactive with the audience. They invited kids to come closer to learn the “Rock-Paper-Scissors” dance. They also played a song with the “Red Light, Green Light” concept. Except with green light, they were to jump all around and act crazy, while red light meant freeze. The yellow light meant to move in slow motion.

The band even jokingly guilted parents who didn’t participate, saying “go ahead and miss out on this monumental moment in your child’s development.” Another crowd favorite was called “Motorcycle Momma.”

The Not Its! had lessons in some of their songs. One was that if you are on a team, you need to show up, have fun with your friends and do your best even if you don’t win. That way there are no losers. The song was called “Participation Trophy.”

Heather Skagen was there with her 2 1/2-year-old daughter, Hazel. “It’s a lot of fun,” she said. “It’s a great way to bring the community together and something exciting for kids to do.”

“We need this kind of thing in the summertime,” Steve said. “The band keeps it alive, and that’s what kids need.”