New bandshell officially opens with first ParkFest of 2019
For 25 years, the music and not the building has been the main attraction during the ParkFest summer concert series.
But for tonight only, the stage itself will take center stage.
A 6:30 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for the new Robe-Ann Park bandshell, which was completed in late 2018.
The ceremony will include brief comments from the Friends of the Park Association and the City of Greencastle, chiefly to thank those who partnered in making the new structure a reality.
The journey to a new bandshell began more than two years ago, when late in the winter of 2017 it was discovered that the old Bob Flanigan Bandshell was irreparably damaged.
Named for the Greencastle native who went on to co-found legendary vocal group The Four Freshmen, that building stood for more than 40 years before it met its demise.
A lot of cooperation from local and state organizations led to the completion of the new covered bridge-inspired structure of timber and stone that now stands beautifully near the park entrance.
Those who have contributed to the project include the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, the Greencastle Civic League, the Putnam County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 100 Women Who Care of Putnam County, the McCoy family, Ken and Jackie Eitel, Vaughn and Cheryl Selvey, Sue and Dave Murray, Robert W. Evans, Mark and Jeanette Hammer, First National Bank, the Knuth family, Kara and Paul Jedele, Joe and Jill Spiker, Todd Scoggins, the Hartman family, McDonald’s/Jedele Family, Robert Allen, Bridges Wine Bar, Civil Engineering Consultants, Hoffman Engineers, Earth Exploration, Pingleton Sawmill, Black Lumber, ASA Land Surveying, the Banner Graphic and the Taylor family.
After the ceremony the tunes will start, with Dreadful Greta as the first performer of the nine-week summer concert series sponsored by the Greencastle Civic League.
As always, ParkFest opening night will be Family Fun Night with bounce houses and other family-friendly activities.
Food will be available for purchase all season via a food truck serviced by Bon Appetit.
The full 2019 ParkFest lineup includes:
May 28: Dreadful Greta
June 4: Cole Woodruff and Cari Ray
June 11: Legend Puncher
June 18: Covered Bridge Harmony and Convergence
June 25: Dominic Rivers and Black Market Vinyl
July 2: Fret Set and Lincoln Street
July 9: him&her and Bridge 19
July 16: Chris Wurster and Blue River Band
July 30: Mike Van Rensselaer and Giuliana and The Gems
ParkFest will not take place on July 23 due to the Putnam County Fair.
A make-up rain date will be scheduled for Aug. 6.