Hoppel’s Arena brings back rodeo for 2 nights

Hoppel’s Arena brings back rodeo for 2 nights

LISBON — Rodeo will return to Hoppel’s Arena next weekend.

Hoppel’s, 40891 state Route 518, brought the rodeo back last year after a four-year hiatus. “We tried it out last year and realized how much we missed it,” said owner Patty Hoppel.

The Hoppel’s Arena Professional Rodeo will be July 3 and 4 at 7 p.m. It is approved by the American Professional Rodeo Association and the Midstates Rodeo Association.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at Giant Eagles in Salem, Calcutta and East Liverpool and area Sparkle Markets for $8, and at the gate for $12 for adults and $8 for children. For information, go to www.hoppelsarena.com.

Canfield concert band announces schedule

CANFIELD — The Canfield Community Concert Band will perform at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Austintown Township Park on Kirk Road. Featured soloist for the evening’s performance will be alto saxophone Hayley Ward.

The daughter of Bob and Laura Ward of Canfield, Hayley will enter ninth grade at Canfield High School this fall, where she will be a member of the marching and symphonic bands and the Chamber Vocal Ensemble.

Hayley has earned numerous awards and won various competitions with piano and saxophone performances, including Ohio Music Education Association, Ohio Federation of Music Clubs Competition, Youngstown Music Teachers Association Masters Philharmonic, Musical Arts Fest and the National Piano Guild Auditions.

The band, which was formed in 1976, is now in its fifth season under the direction of Anthony Cebriak, retired band director of Canfield High School. It rehearses every Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Canfield High School band room. Anyone interested in joining can call (330) 538-0179. Other dates this summer include:

July 4, Firestone Park, Columbiana; July 14, Shepherd of the Valley, Western Reserve Road; July 21, Park Vista Retirement Community, Youngstown; Aug. 2, Buhl Park, Sharon, Pa.; Aug. 10, Canfield Village Green; Sept. 6, Canfield Fair.

Beach Glass Festival at Ashtabula Harbor

ASHTABULA — The Lift Bridge Community Association (LBCA) will present the Ashtabula Harbor Beach Glass Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

“Ashtabula is recognized by Martha Stewart and others as one of the leading areas in the country for beach glass,” said Alice McCarthy, event coordinator. The festival will feature vendors marketing everything from beach glass jewelry to handmade candles and crafts. The festival also will include live music and a beer and wine garden.

The numerous restaurants and taverns on Bridge Street will be open throughout the festival.

Mercer band launches annual concert series

MERCER, Pa. — The Mercer Community Band will open its 2009 concert series at 7:30 p.m. Friday on Courthouse Square. Hendley D. Hoge is director, and Kenneth Jewell is assistant director.

The concert will offer a repertoire featuring the theme “Echoes of the Past,” and will include marches, classical pieces, hymns, patriotic songs, novelty numbers, popular tunes, sing-alongs and other selections. Featured vocal soloist Brian Hoover of Greenville will offer a medley of Frank Sinatra songs. Nick Latakos, a virtuoso xylophonist from Greenville, will perform “Xylophonia,” a piece featuring dueling xylophones, with Andrew Krepps.

Baton twirler Steven Bobby, 16, of Transfer, also will perform. The band Black Tie Optional will be the opening act, starting at 6 p.m. The Mercer Area Girl Scouts will host an old-fashioned ice cream social throughout the evening, and the Mercer Band Boosters will sell fresh popcorn. In case of rain, the concert will be at Mercer High School auditorium.

Old-fashioned Fourth at Westminster College

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. — Westminster College will host an old-fashioned Independence Day celebration with a free concert July 2 and a free concert and fireworks July 3. Both events will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Brittain Lake.

The July 2 concert will feature the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus in Anderson Amphitheater. Seats will be set up in the amphitheater, and guests may bring their own chairs for lawn seating.

R. Tad Greig, Westminster assistant professor of music and director of bands, will conduct the Field Band for “American Salute,” Morton Gould’s classic American tribute based on “When Johnny Comes Marching Home.”

The Soldiers’ Chorus, a 29-member mixed choral ensemble, is the vocal complement of the Field Band. Their music covers a variety of opera, Broadway, barbershop and Americana styles.

The July 3 concert will feature the River City Brass Band playing a variety of patriotic, religious, folk and popular Broadway and Hollywood selections. Attendance in recent years has reached 10,000, so early arrival is suggested for this family-oriented event. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs for seating, as well as picnic baskets and refreshments. Food vendors will be on site.

In case of rain, both concerts will be in the amphitheater.