A special edition of Bands and Brews is slated for Saturday, May 27 in Shepard Park featuring local favorites the Stony Creek Band and The Switch. The concert is a fundraiser for the Shepard Park Bandstand Improvement Fund, which was launched last December. The Shepard Park amphitheatre, which hosts more than 50 free concerts each year, is in need of new lighting, sound system upgrades and additional seating. The improvements will cost approximately $75,000.
The Charles R. Wood Foundation awarded the Village of Lake George a grant of $25,000 for the project, and pledged to match, up to $25,000, funds the Village raised by June 1, 2017. “This concert is our last ditch effort to meet the Challenge,” Village Mayor Robert Blais says in a May 22 press release. The Village has had several fundraisers for the project, including a performance by the Stony Creek Band last February, a concert by the Lake George Community Band in March and an Adirondack Jazz Project concert in April.
Several area businesses and organizations have made major contributions to the effort including The Lake George RV Park, Lake George Boat Rentals, King Neptune’s Pub, Lake George Steamboat Company and 175 Canada Street, LLC. To date, $15,000 has been raised. Another $10,000 is needed to meet the Bandstand Improvement Committee’s goal.
Saturday’s concert will open at 7 p.m. with Bolton Landing-based band The Switch. The four-man group recently released their first album, Slim Pickens, six tracks of their blues, rock and funk blend. The Stony Creek Band, an institution in the area for more than 40 years, will follow with its brand of country, blues and rock. A beer tent and food wagon will be in the park. A portion of food and beverage sales will go to the Bandstand Improvement fund. The concert is free. Donations will be accepted throughout the evening.
Featured image: The Stony Creek Band performs in Shepard Park, Sept. 4, 2015 as part of the Bands and Brews free concert series.