Does Papa Doo Run Run?

You bet Papa does and he will in Fountain Park on June 6 when we officially kick off our Fountain Park Summer Music Series for 2014!  It was four years ago when this beach party band from California last played in Van Wert.  They were a lot of fun and so many of you wanted them back, and now we are now happy to oblige.

This Grammy nominated band is comprised of former members of the Beach Boys, Jan & Dean and Frankie Valli bands.  Their award winning re-creation of the hits of these fun-time bands plus their own rockin’ renditions of all the greatest Classic Rock of the 60’s and 70’s has earned Papa Doo Run Run two Gold Record awards.

This will be an exciting and fun way to not only kick off our summer music series, but also to help celebrate the Peony and ArtRageous Festivals, which will be June 6 and 7.  There will be a lot of activities, food, games and attractions surrounding the park.  Remember- our concerts always begin at 7 p.m. on Fridays, but you might want to arrive early and enjoy all the other activities associated with this big festival that brings so many people to Van Wert.

I have talked with Don Zirilli, head band member of PDRR and they are excited to return to our beautiful little slice of Americana!  I take this as a compliment. I am sure they will give us quite a show coming all the way from the sunny beaches of California. Get ready to have some fun throughout the evening until the sun sets.  The music will be great and the food will be aplenty!

Don’t forget that this Friday night in Fountain Park, the Van Wert Area Concert Band will be performing beginning at 7 p.m.  They just keep getting better and better each year.  Come to the park and enjoy their concert.

The Evergreen Garden Club has been doing its annual beautification in Fountain Park and I’m sure will have the park looking beautiful. Thank you, ladies!  As I mentioned last week, Vantage Career Center kids have done a nice job on the drive down to the pavilion band shell.  It not only looks good, but will be much appreciated by the road crews with sound, lights, and band gear. Thanks, Larry Mengerink!  Sue Heppeard’s City Parks Department is also working on making the park such an inviting place for everyone to enjoy our concerts. Thank you, Sue!

Of course, all this is once again made possible because of The Van Wert County Foundation. Mr. Saltzgaber provided the impetus for good music for the people of Van Wert to enjoy and The Foundation has decided since 2002 that this is a worthy endeavor.  I appreciate it and I am sure you do too!  If you see a VWCF board member, thank them as well as our new executive secretary, Seth Baker.

We look forward to Friday nights in Fountain Park once again.  For a full listing and description of the concerts, visit our website: vanwertcountyfoundation.org or the Van Wert City Parks website and look under Fountain Park.  We also have brochures at the Foundation office, the Niswonger box office and other locations throughout the area.

You had better get out those lawn chairs and get them ready because the music and fun in Fountain Park are about to begin!

FINÉ.