The hot ticket in Lawrenceville this summer is free. For the 15th year in a row, Lawrenceville Main Street is hosting its annual Summer Concert Series — a free 10-week program every Thursday evening at Weeden Park.
In addition to music, the concerts feature balloons, banners and a 50/50 raffle. LMS has organized the series since 2001, when it began as a Fourth of July concert. After growing to four shows the following year, the series gradually evolved into the 10-week schedule that is in place today. The concerts routinely draw crowds of about 200.
The event also features a concert cafe with a la carte dinners sold each week by one of a number of local restaurants. The concert cafe opens at 6:30 p.m., except on Aug. 20, when it opens at 6 p.m.
The concert and food schedule for the rest of the month includes: Paul Plumeri Blues on Aug. 6 at 7 p.m., with food provided by Acacia; Kindred Spirit, a popular central Jersey rock n’ roll cover band, on Aug. 13 at 7 p.m., with food from Gingered Peach; and the Beagles, a Mercer/Bucks County sextet that play power pop, rock and soul originals and cover tunes, on Aug. 20 at 6:30 p.m. Food that day will be provided by Fedora.
In case of inclement weather, call (609) 219-9300 after 4 p.m. the day of the event. A recorded message will be left indicating if the evening’s concert is affected. In case of rain, the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville is hosting any cancelled concerts in its gymnasium.
The concert series is funded, in part, through a $2,500 grant from Investors Bank. “Lawrenceville Main Street loves to promote local businesses and give people a good time,” said Lindsey Bohra, executive director of Lawrenceville Main Street. “We’re here to help businesses and to put on events for the town.”
Lawrenceville Main Street applied for the grant from Roma Bank Community Foundation; Roma Bank became part of Investors Bank in early 2014. The foundation supports non-profit organizations that enrich diverse communities served by Investors Bank.
Other sponsors are the Lawrence Township Community Foundation and the Lawrenceville School. For more information on the concert series, go to lawrencevillemainstreet.com.
–Bill Sanservino
