Concert series moving forward

The status of summer activities has run the gamut, with many canceled, delayed or modified.

Fort Recovery Friends of the Arts is working to keep its summer concert series at Van Trees Park’s Hein Amphitheater in tact.

The Fort Recovery group had kept an eye on other similar local series — Celina canceled early on and St. Henry has had to nix its first two performances — and had extensive conversations about how to move forward.

“We just felt like so much has been taken away from people this year already that we just didn’t want to take one more thing away,” said Connor Rammel, the organization’s co-president along with Karen Meiring. “We felt that we have the space to occupy people. …

“We still wanted to be able to provide something for families to do.”

While the June 17 concert with The Sunburners has been canceled — the performance would have been part of the Taste of Fort Recovery event and is not officially part of the summer concert series — Fort Recovery Friends of the Arts is working to keep the rest of its plans in place.

The summer series is set to open with a performance by oldies group The Bulldogs on June 28, with Neil Diamond tribute band Forever Diamond to follow July 12 after a break for Independence Day weekend. The rest of the schedule features Toby Keith Tribute on July 19, country artist Clark Manson on July 26, Beatles tribute band Liverpool Lads on Aug. 2, and 1950s and ’60s group The American Kings on Aug. 9.

As of this morning, Fort Recovery Friends of the Arts was waiting for confirmation from one performer for their scheduled date. The rest, Rammel said, were excited for the opportunity with so many events canceled since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Everyone we’ve heard from has been, ‘Absolutely yes,’” he said. “I’ve had real positive feedback from all of the bands that we have.”

In terms of precautions because of the pandemic, performers, who often will head into the crowd to interact, have been asked not to do so. There will be no meet-and-greet at the end of each show.

Boy Scouts will still be on hand to sell refreshments, but are looking at prepackaged snack items rather than the traditional popcorn.

Social distancing will be encouraged for everyone.

“A lot of times younger kids will run around … and dance and play,” said Rammel. “We’re going to try to encourage parents to keep their kids near them.”

Wearing a face mask will not be required.

With all school buildings closed to the public through the end of June, the elementary/middle school auditeria will not be available in the case of rain for the opening concert. But the hope is that it will be a possibility should inclement weather impact the rest of the series.

“Our first show could be in jeopardy of being rained out ,” said Rammel. “After that … we’re hoping that we can use the school if there is (rain). That being said, we will be required to follow social distancing guidelines, which would mean we would have to have a maximum capacity at that point.”