Foundation Park Conservancy is proud to announce that it has received a $4,800 grant from the Ohio Arts Council toward its free concert series. A portion of the funding will be used for this year’s events and a portion will be used for the 2017 series. The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally and economically.
“Our community has a rich cultural history in the performing arts. The bar has been set high for Ariel-Foundation Park’s free summer concert series,” said Conservancy board member Sam Barone. “Our strategy for this season has been to book well-known and highly regarded local acts; regional bands in the rock, bluegrass/Americana, swing and country genres; and two acts from the Ohio Arts Council’s ‘Artists on Tour’ directory.”
Created in 1965, the Ohio Arts Council fosters and encourages the development of the arts and assists the preservation of Ohio's cultural heritage. With funds from the Ohio Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts, the OAC provides financial assistance to artists and arts organizations primarily through its various grant funding programs and by providing services that help to enhance the growth of the arts. The Foundation Park Conservancy board is proud to receive this award and to provide a variety of quality concerts for free to central Ohio.
Showcased in the Schonormeier Event Center at Ariel-Foundation Park, this year’s free summer concert series features an ambitious 15 events, with half of them upcoming through October. Coming events include Gospel Music Day with the McNichols Family and Zack Shelton & 64 to Grayson; the International Festival with The General Guinness Band, Fred Ziwich & the International Sound Machine, and Op Drift; the Inaugural Rastin Challenge with Mark Pennington and Revolution Pie; Swing’s the Thing; Community Square Dance with the Back Porch Swing Band; and Knox County Symphony’s Children’s Concert. See the complete list of upcoming events online.
Major local sponsors for the series include the Community Foundation of Mount Vernon &Knox County, First-Knox National Bank, Mount Vernon News, Knox Community Hospital, Super Q 32.7 WQIO, and 1300 WMVO. Many other local businesses have contributed in a variety of ways to make these events possible.
All concerts that are part of the Free Summer Concert Series are free, however contributions for the Free Summer Concert Series are accepted. Free seating is available, or guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs. Food and beverage service, including legal alcoholic beverages, is available in the pavilion.
To learn more about Ariel-Foundation Park, sign up for the free e-newsletter or visit the Park’s Facebook page.
