Sponsors sought for park concerts

By Virginia Ross

The summer concerts are Wednesday nights at Woodworth Park.

NORTH LIMA — Beaver Township Park Board is preparing for the 2009 Music in the Park Summer Concert Series and has started the annual sponsorship effort to help fund the program.

Scott Conway, township park administrator, said despite the current economic crunch, the park board is hopeful this summer’s music series will provide the quality performances offered in the past.

“This program is something area residents have come to look forward to each summer,” he said. “We definitely don’t want to disappoint them. We are holding off finalizing the music lineup until we have a better idea of what our sponsors are able to contribute this year, realizing there might very well be a tendency to hold back some because of financial concerns that have hit so many of us.”

The concert series, in its sixth year, is scheduled to again run on Wednesday evenings, June 17 through Aug. 26, at Woodworth Park. The park board is running its sponsorship effort through May 1.

Businesses, groups, organizations and individuals are invited to sponsor the series through donations to the park board. Conway said although any contribution is appreciated, sponsors donating between $50 and $100 are mentioned in the concert program.

For a donation between $101 and $250, the contributor’s name is mentioned in the program and is displayed on a group banner. For donations of $251 or more, the contributor’s name is included in the program and on an individual banner.

“We have been very fortunate with the sponsors and contributors we’ve had,” Conway said. “We really rely on and value their support. They make the music series and other activities, such as our children’s Halloween party and annual corn roast, in the township possible.”

The concert series offers a variety of music from acoustic to jazz to big band sounds to oldies. Artists are typically booked by the end of February, Conway said.

Artists or bands interested in submitting information to be considered for the 2009 lineup are encouraged to contact the park board. Each performance has attracted an average of 150 and 200 people, many of whom travel from surrounding Ohio counties and areas in Western Pennsylvania.

“The music series is a quality program, and all of the concerts are free,” Conway said. “There are a lot of people in the area who otherwise can’t afford any type of entertainment or recreation. This is something everyone can enjoy and appreciate.”

In a related matter, the township trustees recently reappointed the park board members.

They are Larry Kerr, chairman; Karen Ball, vice chairman; Candice Orr, secretary; Irene Calvin and Russ Osborne.

For more information about sponsorship opportunities or activities at the township parks, call the park board at (330) 549-9552.