Let the good (summer) times roll!

There is absolutely no denying summer has arrived (finally) a little early.  This past week has been gorgeous weather and I would imagine has everyone looking forward to a relaxing and enjoyable summer. I also imagine many of you are looking forward to all the fun Fridays in Fountain Park this summer.

The Van Wert County Foundation has once again designated funds for the Fountain Park Summer Music Series and we are looking forward to bringing enjoyable family concerts for everyone to enjoy on Friday nights, beginning at 7 p.m.  The Van Wert Area Concert Band gets things started early this year in the park by presenting a concert of band music this Friday, May 24.  I understand there will not be food served, so eat ahead of time or bring your picnic to the park to enjoy this 7 p.m. concert.

The VWCF Fountain Park Summer Music Series kicks off Friday, June 7, with the always fun, fun, fun Phil Dirt & the Dozers.  This is also the Peony and ArtRageous on Main Festival weekend.  The good times start early Friday with art and craft shows, food vendors and a car show as the day goes on.  And this all leads up to the Phil Dirt & the Dozers concert in the Fountain Park amphitheater.  It has been nearly five years since we last had the Dozers in Fountain Park.  They bring a lot of fun with them when they come to the park and this year will be no exception.  They have been waiting to return and have a great show planned for Van Wert.  They love coming to Van Wert.  You will know every song and the beach balls will be flying through the crowd as we rock away to those great oldies everyone loves.

After a week off for the All-Star football game in Eggerss Stadium, just across the Van Wert River, we return in the park with a group which is creating quite a buzz: Bostyx.  This band features the music from two of the greatest rock bands of the ‘70s and ‘80s, Boston and Styx.  As a matter of fact, Bostyx features David Victor, current guitarist and co-lead vocalist for the current band, Boston, which just finished a 40-date tour of North America.  He will now lead this talented band with all the hits from these two popular bands.  Don’t miss them in Fountain Park on Friday, June 21, at 7 p.m.

The following week, we bring some of the best swing and dance music of the big band era performed by the very talented Toledo Jazz Orchestra.  An antique car show will put you “In the Mood” (excuse the pun!) as you sit back and relax, or get up and dance to some of the most memorable big band music of our time.

The complete schedule of summer concerts is listed below.  Let the good times roll in Fountain Park.  It won’t be long!

June 12 is a big day at the Niswonger and for the entire region.  A press conference will be held at noon in the First Federal Lecture Hall announcing the upcoming NPAC season.  I am thrilled with how the upcoming season came into place and I think you will be excited to hear who will be coming to town next season at the Niswonger.  If you would like to join the media and our many regional and local sponsors and underwriters for this announcement, just call the box office to RSVP your spot in the Lecture Hall.  It’s a free event, but limited to the first 175 who respond.  We will serve lunch to everyone and then have the exciting details of what I think will be the biggest and best season ever at the NPAC!  You can be among the first to find out how you can get tickets to the hottest shows and concerts at the Niswonger.

Here’s the summer line-up:

May 24 — VW Area Concert Band

June 7 — Phil Dirt & the Dozers

June 21 — Bostyx

June 28 — Toledo Jazz Orchestra

July 5 — Lima Pops Orchestra Celebrates America!

July 12 — VW Area Concert Band

July 19 — Minute by Minute (Doobie Brothers Tribute Band)

July 26 — Ted Vigil with Steve Weisburg (John Denver Tribute Band)

August 9 — The Ides of March

August 16 — VW Area Concert Band

FINÉ.