By Tami Eagen – Sydenham Current
The Dresden Rotary Club is at the halfway point for their annual summer concert series.
Stuart Kiar, a Dresden Rotarian, told the Sydenham Current the series started in 2001.
“We try to have a different mix of talent through the summer,” Kiar said.
“We try to keep it as local as possible. Chatham-Kent based and into Middlesex and Lambton but South Western Ontario for sure.”
Kiar said the Rotary Club teams up with other local groups in the community to run the weekly barbecues associated with the concerts.
“This year the Sidestreets Youth Centre is doing a number of the barbecues and North Kent Mutual Insurance is doing one to support the Terry Fox Run,” Kiar said.
“The two major sponsors of the Dresden Concert Series is Dresden Foodland and Jackson Seed Service. Each week at the concert series local businesses also donate items for door prizes for a free draw.”
Kiar said he beleives the summer concerts are good social nights out, for little cost.
“The concert itself is free,” he said.
“So anyone that wants to come, can come out. There is a core group of people that come. They may not see each other the rest of the week but it gives them a chance to connect. I think it is also important too because we are supporting local live entertainment.”
Kiar said Dresden Rotary Park was always looked after by the club.
He said former President Larry Tiffin Park passed away and the project of the band shell in the park was built in his name.
“The idea behind the band shell was to hopefully have LIVE concerts, but it did not happen until a few of the Dresden Rotary Club members saw a concert in the Park in Petrolia in 2010.”
The weekly barbecues start at 6 p.m. and the concert takes place from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Dresden Rotary Park.
The remaining concerts in the series are:
– August 2 – Crystal Gage-St. Denis
– August 9 – Jeremy Smith
– August 16 – Jacklyn Wills
– August 23 – Classic Vibe
For more information you can visit https://www.facebook.com/events/272701409954138/.
