WARREN Have a song with your lunch

The Noon in the Park series returns for another year.
By JENNINE ZELEZNIK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Are you tired of that same old power lunch? Do you want to try something different during the lunch hour?
Then come on down, says the Fine Arts Council of Trumbull County, and enjoy the 25th annual Noon in the Park series.
Every Friday, beginning this Friday and continuing through Aug. 3, the council is sponsoring free music performances in Courthouse Park during the noon hour.
"You can sneak in and out and still be back to work on time," said Bobbie Brown, council director.
History: She said the series started with the nation's bicentennial celebrations in 1976.
"They [the council] were looking for something special," Brown added. "They had two performances that summer. They were incredibly popular. It's grown each year."
Now, about 500 people attend the performances every week during the summer. Most attendees work in downtown offices or live in area nursing homes, but others come from summer day camps or day-care centers, she said.
"We all try to squeeze 52 weeks of summer into 12," Brown explained. "This allows you an extra hour on your lunch break to enjoy the season."
Local: All bands performing for Noon in the Park are local.
"It's been a good showcase for area musicians," Brown said, but added that all who perform for the series must be members of the American Federation of Musicians union.
Funding for the series comes from the Recording Industries Music Performance Trust Frund -- secured by the AFM -- and the Martini Martin Arts Trust, Brown added.