Fountain Park sprucing for opening

We are now less than two weeks away from the opening concert of the 2011 Fountain Park Summer Music Concerts.  As a matter of fact, the Van Wert Area Concert Band will preview our opening with a concert this Friday night beginning at 7 p.m. Come out and enjoy the sunshine in Fountain Park!

A week from this Friday, The Van-Dells, the nation’s No. 1 Rock ‘n’ Roll Review will take center stage in Fountain Park.  Some of you who have seen The Van-Dells before know how entertaining they are: lots of costume changes, great music and good comedy. It helps kick off a big weekend celebration in Van Wert with the Peony and ArtRageous on Main festivals. The park area and downtown will be a buzz of activity with art and food vendors of all kinds. There will be lots of activities leading up to the big concert with the Van-Dells beginning at 7 p.m.

Fountain Park has seen lots of love and care already in the preparations leading up to our summer music series. The Evergreen Garden Club has done its usual (but never taken for granted) wonderful job of planters and flowers throughout the park. Club members are always appreciated! You may have also noticed the pavilion has gotten a bit of a facelift. Kathy Taylor’s group of seniors at VWHS has taken on the project of repairing some rotting wood and repainting the east side. I understand that she may continue to look for ways to nurture and upkeep Fountain Park through a group called “Friends of Fountain Park.”

For now, I just say thanks for your labor of love for a symbol that stands proudly in our community.  Many people will enjoy your work throughout the summer.

Help spread the word that we have outstanding music in Fountain Park Friday nights this summer.  It’s all free as a gift to the community from The Van Wert County Foundation.  Come out and enjoy the good times with your friends and neighbors, as well as welcome visitors from neighboring communities who regularly attend. It’s been another long winter (and wet spring!), but it will soon be time to party and celebrate the beauty and tranquility of summer.

The Van-Dells will be a great opener that I am sure everyone, regardless of age, will enjoy.  And don’t forget all the good food available with the festival.

We have nearly 500 Community Concert renewals for next season and are now ready to open the seating for this spectacular five-concert series at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center to everyone.  One low price gets you seats to five great concerts.

For more information on these spectacular concerts, check out the NPAC website at www.npacvw.org.  We will also have brochures available in Fountain Park.

Here are some dates I think you will want to mark on your calendars:

• Monday, May 23 — Community Concert Series open to everyone
• Friday, June 10 — Grand Series sales begin for the 2011-12 NPAC Season
• Friday, June 17 — Select Series sales begin

The new NPAC season will be announced soon. Keep an eye open in the media, NPAC website, and Facebook.  The new season is going to be bigger and better than ever before!  It’s a true blockbuster of a season, from the first concert to the very last.  Stay tuned.

I am looking forward to seeing your bright smiling faces in Fountain Park real soon!

FINÉ.