The Van Wert County Courthouse

Thursday, Mar. 28, 2024

Come in from the rain at Niswonger

I’ve been listening to Melissa Manchester sing the beautiful ballad “Come in from the Rain,” and it makes me think about the concerts in Fountain Park. In case you haven’t noticed, we have received quite a bit of rain recently in the area.  This may be one of the biggest understatements of all time!

The first concert of our Fountain Park season was blessed with super weather, even though rain was forecast. As I look ahead to our second concert in the park this Saturday night, it looks like we may get a break in the weather, but I wouldn’t bet the boat on it. You may need it!

There are a lot of activities planned for this coming Saturday. The Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure (GOBA) sets sail from Van Wert and the masterminds of the city and county have festivities planned in honor of this event. Bicyclists from all over will converge in Van Wert at the fairgrounds throughout the day. Then, approximately 6:15 p.m. they will form a parade of bicycles, many I understand decorated in a sundry of ways. Around 6:45, they should arrive at Fountain Park in downtown Van Wert where there will be a small ceremony recognizing the thousands of bikers heading out the next day on their big adventure.

The Van Wert County Council on Aging is planning a big feed out of the Rotary Concession food stand. In the basement of First United Methodist Church, they will be up to their necks in noodles. A spaghetti supper will be served, as I understand noodles are good carbs for the bikers. Both are open to the public.  Food should be available by at least 5:30 p.m.

The concert of the week has been moved to Saturday, June 20 to coordinate with all the festivities.  It features a group called Blue Moon Swamp: A Tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival and the music of John Fogerty. You may recall such songs as “Proud Mary,” Born on the Bayou,” “Bad Moon Rising,” and “Green River,” just to name a few. Fogerty, the band’s lead singer hoped they would sing music that would still be played 10 years later.  Over 40 years later, CCR music is as popular now as it was then.

Blue Moon Swamp is a band that travels coast to coast singing the music of CCR and Fogerty. Dan McGuinness, the band’s lead singer, captures the voice of Fogerty in an amazing way. The band’s motto is “Anything worth doing, is worth doing well” and their concerts recreate the experience of those concerts from the 1970s. It’s a lifetime of unforgettable hits in a single night. I hope you enjoy the concert and the experience of welcoming so many visitors to our fine community.

Every effort will be made to keep the concert in Fountain Park; however, IF it should rain all day long and has to be moved inside, that’s where I welcome you to come in from the rain to the Niswonger Performing Arts Center on Ohio 118 South.

And speaking of the Niswonger, I hope everyone has had the chance to see the new season we unveiled last week.  It has many people buzzing with 26 action-packed, entertaining and inspiring events.  I would REALLY recommend you at least try to find three or more concerts to bundle, which will allow you the chance to purchase tickets before the singles go on sale.  Each year, people are surprised to find out we are sold out by waiting until single tickets go on sale.  July 8 begins Select Series sales and this might be your best opportunity.  Other earlier opportunities exist for a better choice in seats. Check with the box office for details (419.238.NPAC 6722).

Keep dry my friend.

FINÉ.

POSTED: 06/17/15 at 6:28 am. FILED UNDER: News