Gananoque concert series bows out for the summer
The summer isn’t officially over, but one sign the fall season is near in the waterfront community of Gananoque, is when the sounds of the town’s Concert Series play out for the final time.
Like it did this past weekend to a packed Joel Stone Heritage Park on Saturday, encored by a performance on Sunday by lead organizers of this event – Cliff Edwards and Kevin Head. They were joined by Vanessa Burnett, and the trio celebrated Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton at the Lions Pavilion on the “Berm,” as it’s commonly referred to by locals.
“Like in every other year, we’ve had great success,” said Edwards. “We have many folks who support the concerts. We had great audiences all summer long, with only one rainout, when we had that massive storm that came through.
“But we’re all so pleased with the amount of support we get from the folks, not only locals but the visitors who come out, as well. It’s a beautiful venue where we play, sitting on the waterfront, the islands are right there. It’s quite magical.”
And it’s free to attend, as the event is supported and promoted by the town. The Concert Series begins the weekend after Canada Day, running until the end of Labour Day Weekend.
“We’ve been doing this for about nine years now,” said Edwards. “Kevin Head and I were asked many years ago to help produce concerts at the waterfront, and we’ve taken it now to a point where everyone really looks forward to it. And we offer all kinds of music. It’s been successful and that last one at the waterfront stage on Saturday was packed. It was special. We’re humbled by the support.”
Not only does the Concert Series serve as a form of entertainment for locals and tourists during the summer months, and as a platform for musicians to perform, it also serves the community in a greater way.
With help from town staff, the Gananoque and Area Food Bank was able to have a donation table set up at Joel Stone Park for the Concert Series throughout the summer.
In a statement, the food bank thanked all involved.
“Thank you to the organizers, Cliff Edwards and Kevin Head, who allowed us to have a donation table at the Joel Stone Park Concert Series, and Jennifer Baril from the Town of Gananoque, who made it happen, and to the people who donated to us at the waterfront concert,” the statement reads. “On behalf of our clients, volunteers and staff, we would like to thank you sincerely for all your help in feeding our community.”