Pack a light supper with a blanket or chairs and head to the Park next Wednesday — or any Wednesday for the next six weeks. After all, it's summer and the town's Wednesday night live music summer series starts July 8.
Like the Pancake Breakfast and Horribles Parade on the Fourth of July, the town's summer music series is steeped in tradition.
It's a music series that has been enjoyed since the days before the Department of Community Services was established in 1971, a more than 38-year history that is continuing this year.
"It's a popular, long tradition. The kids can run around, there's room for a picnic supper and it's naturally air-conditioned with all the trees in the Park," said DCS Director Mary Donohue. "We'll get 250 to 300 people when the weather is good."
Last summer, the weather did not cooperate, as several concerts were rained on and had to be postponed. This year, rained-out concerts will be scheduled automatically for the following night, Thursday, in The Park. If it rains on Thursday, the concert moves indoors on that Thursday night to the nearby Memorial Auditorium at Doherty Middle School.
Hopefully, Mother Nature will cooperate this summer and wet Wednesdays will not be in the Andover forecast.
"We've had enough rain in June, but you just never know," Donohue said.
SUMMER WEDNESDAYS
July 8: The Windham Community Band
July 15: Acoustic rock with Siroteau
July 22: Jazz with Ricco Barr and the Jump n' Jive Review
July 29: Requests only with 4 Guys in Tuxes
Aug. 5: Jazz with the EJE Jazz Quartet
Aug. 12: Classical and jazz, with Quintessential Brass
All shows are free and start on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at the Park, at the corner of Chestnut and Bartlet streets. Call 978-623-8276 for more info.
