Farmer’s Market and Summer Concert Series Begin

It’s officially summer time in Ellwood City when the Farmer’s Market and Summer Concert Series makes its return to the downtown area.

Both events are a part of the Ellwood City Revitalization’s efforts to “put feet on the street” as member Terri Stramba put it.

The main goal is to bring people into Ellwood City to support the Farmer’s Market and the Summer Concert Series and then in return, stimulate the economy in downtown shops and restaurants.

The Farmer’s Market, which runs from this Saturday, June 7 to Saturday, Oct. 18 (subject to weather conditions), will feature 17 vendors selling something for everyone: fruit, vegetables, flowers, dairy, crafts, baked goods, candles and fudges. You name it, they have it.

The following vendors will be present: Sturges Orchard, Yoder’s Bakery, Janice Schlemmer, Burns Angus Farm, Sperdute Farms, Glenn True Farm, Dawson’s Orchard, 3D’s Farm & Greenhouse, Enon Valley Garlic, Grandma’s Flower Field, Steff’s Stuff, Katy Mook-McGrath’s Baked Goods, Windy Ridge Dairy, Elsa Blue Acres LLC, the Common Scents Candle Co., Mary Mac Bakehouse & Standing Chimney and Cookies & Critters.

The market will open at 8 a.m. and close at noon every Saturday in the Beaver Avenue Municipal parking lot, located on the 500 block. Prices will range across the board, anywhere from $1 and up. Entertainment will even be provided from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m with this week’s music being the Sanctuary Jazz Band.

“I hope it continues to expand,” Stramba said. “There is a lot of opportunity for growth.”

The Summer Concert Series will begin on Saturday, June 7 as well, starting at 7 p.m. in the Community Plaza. Be sure to bring your lawn chair and come out to see the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band.

The U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band was interested in performing somewhere north of Pittsburgh and Ellwood City just happened to fit the bill. The band is set to play a little bit of everything including pieces from the Beatles to patriotic favorites.

Gary Fox, chairman of the Summer Concert Series Committee, was able to nearly double the number of concerts this year because of the successful attendance to last year’s series, averaging between 200 to 250 people each.

“There’s a wide variety of concerts,” Fox said. “If you don’t like this one, there’s always the next.”

The rest of the Summer Concert Series schedule is as follows: Rising Regina – June 14, Wrangler Band – June 21, Westminister Faculty Jazz Quartet – June 28, San Rocco – July 12, Wine and Spirit – July 19, RMS Trio – July 26, D Major – Aug. 2, Tim Zimmerman and the King’s Brass – Aug. 6, Jeff Wiley and the Coyotes – Aug. 16 and NOMaD – Aug. 30.

Note: there will be no concert held over the Fourth of July weekend do to the Ellwood City Arts, Crafts and Food Festival.

Each concert is free of charge thanks to the generous corporations, businesses and individual donors who have sponsored the series. Donations are always appreciated by the committee and the entire community and can be dropped off at the Ellwood City Chamber of Commerce if interested.

With a weather forecast of 82 degrees and sunny, attendance is expected to be good. If Mother Nature decides to bring rain instead, the concert will be held in the Lincoln High School Auditorium. Any further questions can be directed to the Ellwood City Revitalization at 724-758-5501.

“Now, no one can say that there’s nothing to do in Ellwood City,” Fox joked.