The Van Wert County Courthouse

Friday, Mar. 29, 2024

2016 Fountain Park concerts announced

VW independent/submitted information

The Van Wert County Foundation has announced its 2016 Fountain Park Summer Music Series. The series features eight free concerts in Fountain Park in downtown Van Wert. All concerts are on Friday nights, beginning at 7 p.m., while food service is available by 5:30 each evening from various non-profit organizations in Van Wert County.

Concerts selected as part of the 2016 Fountain Park Summer Music Series include (top row, from the  left) Lima Symphony Pops Orchestra, Natural Wonder, Together; (middle row) McCartney Years, Madrigal, Chris Higbee; (bottom row) Feller and Hill, Beginnings. (photos submitted)
Concerts selected as part of the 2016 Fountain Park Summer Music Series include (top row, from the left) Lima Symphony Pops Orchestra, Natural Wonder, Together; (middle row) McCartney Years, Madrigal, Chris Higbee; (bottom row) Feller and Hill, Beginnings. (photos submitted)

This is the 15th season for Fountain Park summer concerts presented by The Van Wert County Foundation, in cooperation with the Van Wert City Parks & Recreation Department. This season includes a wide variety of entertainment and will even include an outdoor family movie on July 1 following the Lima Pops Orchestra concert. The movie is in cooperation with Main Street Van Wert.

The season kicks off with its traditional opener on Friday night of the Peony and Art-Rageous on Main Festival weekend.  The entire line-up is listed below:

Friday, June 3 — The Together Band           

The Together Band, established in the 1970s, has been entertaining crowds in a tri-state area for more than four decades. Together provides an action-packed show that delivers a classic rock, funk, soul, and feel-good music experience for all ages. The band features a nine-piece ensemble of undeniable rhythm section, electrifying horns, and dynamic vocals from all band members.

Friday, June 17 – Madrigal: The Ultimate Tribute to Carlos Santana

This Cincinnati based band of professional musicians offer up a true Carlos Santana concert experience.  Led by Jose Madrigal, a Mexican immigrant who was home schooled on the guitar by his father, a guitar professor at Northern Kentucky University, Jose was a recording artist for 20th Century Fox and Columbia Records.  Surrounded by a talented group of outstanding musicians, you won’t want to miss this Santana experience!

Friday, June 24 – Beginnings: The Ultimate Tribute to Chicago

Out of its love and respect for one of the greatest American rock bands of all time, this group, comprised of veteran musicians from the New York music scene, had its beginning in 2002. Since then, the group has been sharing the wonderful music of the Chicago songbook with audiences all over the country, including Disney’s Epcot Center, Atlantic City’s Resort Casino, and the M Resort Spa Casino in Las Vegas.

Friday, July 1 — Lima Symphony Pops Orchestra

Maestro Crafton Beck returns to Van Wert with the Lima Pops Orchestra to herald another July 4 celebration. Van Wert is proud to be one of the few cities in the state to feature a live Pops Orchestra for its Fourth of July weekend. Area residents should bring flags and wear their patriotism proudly on their sleeves as the Lima Symphony Pops celebrates America in music. It’s always a crowd pleaser. Be sure to stick around after the concert to experience family movie time in Fountain Park on a huge inflatable screen and concert sound system.

Friday, July 15 — Natural Wonder: The Ultimate Stevie Wonder Experience

Gabriel Bello, a No. 1 Billboard-ranked vocalist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, along with a crack rhythm section and full-fledged horn ensemble, recreates some of the best-loved songs of the phenomenal Stevie Wonder.

Since its inception in 2012, Natural Wonder has wowed audiences for the American Heart Association, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the House of Blues in Orlando, Florida, and Myrtle Beach, as well as BB Kings in New York.

Friday, July 22 — Chris Higbee

The former lead singer of Poverty Neck Hillbillies, this high-energy fiddling cowboy puts on a show audiences do not forget. Often compared to another fiddling singer, Charlie Daniels, Higbee has been known to fiddle his way to the top of rooftops and rock the music from anywhere imaginable. Higbee and his band will create an exciting and fun evening in Fountain Park for everyone to enjoy!

Friday, July 29 — Feller and Hill and the Bluegrass Buckaroos

Tom Feller and Chris Hill have made quick work of establishing themselves among the top vocal groups in Bluegrass, winning over fans and disc jockeys in their few short years of existence. Combining their love of traditional Bluegrass, classic Country and their newly released all-Gospel album, they have become a leader in the industry. Their tight harmonies and great songs have led to comparisons with Buck Owens and the Osborne Brothers.

Friday, August 12 — The McCartney Years — “The premier McCartney concert experience featuring the music of the Beatles & Wings Live” 

Relive the time of knitted vests, bell-bottoms, 25-cent gas, cassette players, and long hair.  Welcome to the ‘70s and some of the greatest music of the century. The Fountain Park Summer Music Series closes its season with this timeless live concert experience — one that area residents will remember all year long.

In addition to these outstanding concerts, the Van Wert Area Community Concert Band, under the direction of Richard Sherrick, will be in concert in Fountain Park on Friday, May 27, July 8, and August 19, beginning at 7 p.m.

The public is invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets to the park to enjoy these free concerts, underwritten through the Saltzgaber Music Fund of The Van Wert County Foundation. Paul Hoverman is coordinator of performing arts for the foundation and Seth Baker is the foundation’s executive secretary.

In the case of weather issues, Fountain Park Summer concerts sponsored by The Van Wert County Foundation will be moved into the Niswonger Performing Arts Center, 10700 State Route 118 on the south edge of Van Wert.

Fountain Park is located at the west end of downtown Van Wert, on the southwest corner of Main and Jefferson streets.

POSTED: 03/31/16 at 7:39 am. FILED UNDER: News