Historic Fort Steuben summer concert series to begin Thursday
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STEUBENVILLE -- Thursday will mark the return of live music and fresh produce to downtown.
"We're so excited to be able to offer these things to the public," Historic Fort Steuben Director Paul Zuros said. "To have the fort open again is wonderful, and the ability to offer the Summer Concert Series and bring the Downtown Farmers Market back again this year is great."
Zuros said eight concerts have been booked for the 2020 Summer Concert Series, beginning this Thursday at 7 p.m. at Berkman Amphitheater with performances by Spinning Jenny and US Kids.
"We've got eight concerts scheduled," Zuros said, though noting the concert experience will be different this year.
How different?
For one, to discourage people from congregating in groups, the health department has banned standing and dancing. Concert-goers can sit in the stands or bring their own chairs or blankets, and handwashing stations will be available.
"(And) we have to have social distancing, so we'll be asking people to maintain six feet between family groups -- we hope the community can be respectful of that, be patient and try to stay six feet apart."
The farmers' market, held at the corner of South Fourth and South streets, will also be following guidelines for social distancing, sanitizing and other required safety protocols issued by the state and federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, organizer Mary Snyder said.
"Hours are the same as prior years, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.," she said. "But at the same time, they're welcome to stay longer, as always."
Snyder said the first 90 minutes of each market day they'd like to reserve for higher-risk individuals to shop, and this year for the first time there will be vendors set up to accept State of Ohio vouchers.
"Many of our most popular vendors have signed up and we are expecting to have available plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, baked goods, crafts and informational sources," she said.
The farmers' market will be held each Thursday through Oct. 29.
"We need normalcy in our lives, we need to get back to normal. We need good things. Any way we can contribute to that, we're anxious to do it."
Zuros said the 2020 concert series, which runs through July 30, came together easily.
"We had everything ready to go for the most part," he said. "We had activities lined up, all we needed to was pull the trigger on the acts, let them know we were going through it."
Scheduled are:
– Thursday: Spinning Jenny (contemporary rock), 7 p.m.; US Kids (classic rock), 8 p.m.
– June 25: Aftermath (60s), 7 p.m.
– July 2: The Fossils, 7 p.m., Ron Retzer Trio (variety), 8 p.m.
– July 9: Stevee Wellons Band (rock and soul), 7 p.m., Bill Toms & Hard Rain (rhythm & blues), 8 p.m.
– July 12: Gospel Music Night, 6:30 p.m.
– July 16: Easy Street (variety), 7 p.m., Hoard & Jones (country and rock), 8 p.m.
– July 23: Joseph Sisters (country & rock), 7 p.m., and Original Fantasy's (50s, 60s and 70s classics), 8 p.m.
– July 30: The Stereos (classic 50s), and Shades of Blue (classic blues), 8 p.m.
Zuros said there are a couple surprises in the lineup -- an appearance by The Stereos, a Steubenville band, as well as a special Sunday night gospel concert. He said they worked with Bobbyjon Bauman to put together Gospel Night, tentatively featuring local artists Fist Lady Charlene Dawkins & Greater Zion Temple of Steubenville; Michael Jett of Mt. Zion Baptist Church; Shari Prichard and Charles Lingerfelt of Crossroads Christian Church; Ryan and Britni Bradley of Wintersville UMC; Laurie Labishak of Brilliant; "Joyful Noise," featuring Dani Carroll and Earl Tuttle of Wintersville; "Blest" Brookes Sisters Trio from Toronto; Steubenville commUNITY Youth Choir; The Ambassadors Mime Team of Steubenville, Faire May - Irish/Celtic Music Group from Wheeling, Amelia Collopy, Edison Junior High; Alexandra Kaine, Steubenville High School; Darrin Lamarr of Steubenville, and Elisha Fletcher of Steubenville.
This year's sponsors include the Kessler Family, Crestview Veterinary Clinic, Jefferson County Clerk of Court, Apollo Pro Cleaning, Upper Ohio Valley Building and Construction Trades Council, Schiappa & Co., Franciscan University of Steubenville, Naples Spaghetti House, McBane Insurance, Hauser Furniture, Thomas Matanzo, DDS, D'Anniballe & Co. CPA, Ace Optical, Inn at Franciscan Square, Downtown Bakery, Cattrell Co., First Choice America Community Federal Credit Union, Mosti Funeral Home, Legal Hair & Day Spa, Valley Converting, DeNoon Lumber, Pytash Equipment, Gus's Goodies, Studio L, and Huberta Mining.
"Everybody's been really great and supportive, like they always are," he said. "We're grateful for their support again this year, very excited and very thankful for our community."