Summer Concert Series slated

Performances planned each Wednesday night from July 7 through Aug. 18

Musical entertainment will be the featured attraction at Perry Township Park on Wednesday nights during a seven-week stretch this summer.

Perry Township has announced the schedule for its 2021 Summer Concert Series, which kicks off on July 7.

“After all of the interruptions (from the novel coronavirus pandemic) in 2020, (the concert series) will be a welcome event,” the township stated in a recent edition of its newsletter, The Perry Bulletin Board.

Performances are scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. each Wednesday from July 7 through Aug. 18. This year’s lineup of groups, along with their styles of music, consists of:

• July 7: Castaways (‘50s, ‘60s, rock and Motown)

• July 14: Burnt Valves (Classic rock)

• July 21: Free Howie (‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s)

• July 28: Risk Factor

(Danceable and singable hits from the ‘70s to today)

• Aug. 4: Andy’s Last Band (Classic rock)

• Aug. 11: Swamp Rattlers (Blues, rock, Americana)

• Aug. 18: Vinyl Arcade (‘70s, ‘80s, TV themes and jukebox classics)

Admission is free, and guests are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs for the concerts at the park, which is located at the northern end of Perry Park Road. Food and beverages can be purchased during the concerts at the park’s popular Break by the Lake eatery.

The township is covering costs for the 2021 Summer Concert Series by seeking financial sponsorships from local businesses.

Last year, the township decided against soliciting financial donations for the event. That’s because many area businesses at that time had seen their earnings dwindle because of the economic downturn caused by COVID-19, Trustee Rick Amos said in 2020.

While the township agreed to foot the bill for the entire concert series, not all of that money was

spent after the event ended up being canceled after three shows.

On July 27, trustees called off the final four weeks of the 2020 concert series in response to a recommendation issued by the Lake County General Health District.

Prior to complying with the health district’s recommendation, township officials said the initial concerts in 2020 had gone well. People attending the performances were observing proper social distancing guidelines.