Arts in the Park concert series set to return this summer

Jimmy Mazz is one of the acts set to perform at the Arts in the Park Summer Concert Series.
Republican file photo

EASTHAMPTON — The Arts in the Park Summer Concert Series will return Friday, July 10, with more summer evenings where the community can gather, enjoy the weather and take in a variety of music from local performers.

All shows will take place from 6:30-8 p.m. every Friday until Aug. 21 at Nonotuck Park on Daley Field.

This year’s lineup will feature — in order of schedule — performances by Hard Knox, Jimmy Mazz, Colony Motel, the Heritage Pops Orchestra, Vaso Worship, Soiree of Western MA and Soular Eclipse.

Organized through the Easthampton Parks & Recreation Department and community partners, all shows are free and family friendly. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own blanket, chairs, snacks or a whole picnic when they come to experience the local live music and summer weather.

Parks & Recreation Department Director John Mason told Reminder Publishing that the beloved community summer concert series has lasted for three decades-plus because of its family-friendly environment and for the fact that it’s free.

“To try and provide a community-based free event for families to come out and enjoy some music has always been the intent, and to have a diverse selection of music and try to get as many folks interested in local musicians as well as spotlighting some of our local talent in the region,” Mason said. “I think the benefits for our community is certainly that this is free for them to come out. We definitely couldn’t do it without community support and sponsors and donations to help us fund this. It’s important that those folks who do support it get recognized because, like I said, we could not fund it ourselves. We need the community to get involved and they certainly do.”

Local sponsors of this year’s Arts in the Park Summer Concert Series include the Helping Hand Society, Easthampton Savings Bank, Greenfield Savings Bank, Easthampton Police Association, Whitely Electric, Graham Funeral Home, Canon Landscape Architect, Canon Real Estate, Finck & Perras Insurance, Fleury Lumber, Florence Bank, Taylor Real Estate and Big E’s.

Mason explained that this year’s Arts in the Park summer concert series will take place on Daley Field inside of Nonotuck Park to avoid the construction of the new skate park at Millside Park, which has been home to the concert series for the last 17 years. Before that, the series took place at Pulaski Park.

“This year we didn’t want to cancel the series because it’s an event that gets a couple hundred to 500-600 people for a big show, and we have the infrastructure here on Daley Field to provide the concert series,” Mason added. “I think once again we’ve put together a wide variety of music for folks, and they’ll enjoy the show whether it’s their type of music or not. It’s showcasing the talent that’s out there which is important.”

Mason said that every year, he and his team of organizers are proud to offer a family-friendly and free community event that also helps bring the spotlight to some local talent. He shared that this year’s series will once again accomplish that.

“The ability to put something on for the community at no cost is really important to us. Our philosophy around here is to try and do as much as we can for the community at a reduced cost or free, between our Harvest Fest that we have in October, the Rag Shag, Arts in the Park,” Mason said. “Providing these types of events for families to come out and enjoy is our mantra, so we’re happy to continue that.”