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Please donate when you watch the Hamden fireworks Friday night
(Sorry I copied the ad from the Register website.)
HAMDEN — The town’s fireworks extravaganza takes place Friday evening, but it also includes the kick off of the Hamden Arts Commission’s free summer concert series at Town Center Park at Meadowbrook.
Masters of Swing, a U.S. Coast Guard band, kicks off the concert series at 7:30 p.m.
The concert, at which a disc jockey also will play, is to be followed by fireworks at about 9:25. The rain date is Saturday.
Free music will be played every Friday night of July at the park, starting at 7:30 p.m. with opening acts featuring Connecticut bands, and followed by better-known bands requested by the public, according to Mimsie Coleman, director of arts, recreation and culture.
Masters of Swing, a U.S. Coast Guard band, kicks off the concert series at 7:30 p.m.
The concert, at which a disc jockey also will play, is to be followed by fireworks at about 9:25. The rain date is Saturday.
Free music will be played every Friday night of July at the park, starting at 7:30 p.m. with opening acts featuring Connecticut bands, and followed by better-known bands requested by the public, according to Mimsie Coleman, director of arts, recreation and culture.
Hamden’s own Wing It! opens July 6, followed by the Doo Wop Show, a selection of doo wop artists. Washboard Slim and the Bluelights opens on July 13, followed by the nationally-known NRBQ. Southside Johnny and the Ashbury Jukes bring their “New Jersey sound” to Hamden on July 20. The opening act is Remember September. Dizzy Fish opens July 27, and the featured artist is Chuck Negrone, formerly of Three Dog Night. He will perform classics like “Jeremiah was a Bullfrog” and “Old Fashioned Love Song.”
In the event of rain, performances may be moved to Hamden High School.
“The Hamden Arts Commission worked really hard this year to keep costs down. We spent the least amount since 2006 for performance fees. We booked groups requested many times by Hamden residents,” said Coleman, adding that Quinnipiac University, TD Bank and the Hamden Rotary Club are among the sponsors.
Although the town pays for police and firefighter presence at the fireworks, the fireworks themselves are paid for through donations and the sponsorships of area businesses and groups. The Hamden Volunteer Firefighters Association, which orchestrates the event each year, has sold T-shirts and collected donations outside the Hamden Stop & Shops the past few weekends. But Chairman Karl Olson said in order to meet their budget they’re counting on donations on the night of the event.
“If every group that came would donate one dollar, we’d make our budget, no problem,” Olson said.
Olson estimates 20,000 to 30,000 will be in attendance at Town Center Park.
In the event of rain, performances may be moved to Hamden High School.
“The Hamden Arts Commission worked really hard this year to keep costs down. We spent the least amount since 2006 for performance fees. We booked groups requested many times by Hamden residents,” said Coleman, adding that Quinnipiac University, TD Bank and the Hamden Rotary Club are among the sponsors.
Although the town pays for police and firefighter presence at the fireworks, the fireworks themselves are paid for through donations and the sponsorships of area businesses and groups. The Hamden Volunteer Firefighters Association, which orchestrates the event each year, has sold T-shirts and collected donations outside the Hamden Stop & Shops the past few weekends. But Chairman Karl Olson said in order to meet their budget they’re counting on donations on the night of the event.
“If every group that came would donate one dollar, we’d make our budget, no problem,” Olson said.
Olson estimates 20,000 to 30,000 will be in attendance at Town Center Park.
Although in past years the volunteer firefighters have been skeptical of the event’s future, this year Olson says they’re optimistic.
“It should be as good a display as last year,” said retired Fire Cpt. Dave Johnson. “If not, better.”
Johnson, however, expressed concern that because of the poor economy donations haven’t been what they have in past years.
T-shirts, featuring new and vintage designs, will be sold at the fireworks for $12 each.
Alessandro Powell is a Register intern.
“It should be as good a display as last year,” said retired Fire Cpt. Dave Johnson. “If not, better.”
Johnson, however, expressed concern that because of the poor economy donations haven’t been what they have in past years.
T-shirts, featuring new and vintage designs, will be sold at the fireworks for $12 each.
Alessandro Powell is a Register intern.
posted by Hamden-North Haven Times at
9:24 AM
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