“Doc” Woods Helps Pack Hanna Park

Utica, NY – Hanna Park came alive in downtown Utica last evening. As part of the new event called “Monday Nights at Hanna Park,” sponsored by Councilmen James Zecca, David Testa and Frank Vescera, the crowd was treated to a night of music, food and activities for children.

The event is an offshoot of the “Music in the Parks” events that Zecca has held in West Utica for several years. Zecca was elected citywide last year to an at-large council seat. When Utica Monday Nights announced they could no longer continue, Zecca and several other members of the Common Council decided to locate the popular event in the more centrally located Hanna Park.

A press release stated, “With the loss of Utica Monday Nights, Councilmen Zecca, Vescera and Testa recognize the people of the city of Utica will be negatively affected by the lack of summer entertainment activities in our neighborhood parks.  In these difficult economic times we are seeing families staying close to home with limited funds for family entertainment. We want to continue bringing local musicians to our neighborhood parks. We need to make our neighborhoods more livable and contribute to the quality of life of its citizens. We hope the free music will help to be a focal point for bringing people together as a community.”

The event is put on by volunteers and local sponsors, including WUTR-TV, WXUR Radio, The Utica Phoenix, The Bank of Utica, UNHS Homeownership Center, Fanelli Sound and Lighting, Hage and Hage Law and Consulting, Bruce Brodsky and the City of Utica.

Last evening’s event saw a packed crowd of diverse Uticans. There were children playing with chalk on the sidewalks and seniors sitting in the shade to enjoy the music of Two Old Cowboys, which were sponsored by USA Sewing Inc. and Willard Prett, Esq. The crowd also got to enjoy some new tunes from the headline act of Doc Woods and The Zoe Jazz Ensemble, which were sponsored by Todd and Jen Hutton of Utica College.

Don Nojaim of Utica said he had been to every Utica Monday Night event during their fifteen years and was glad to see this event being held.  ”I’ve been coming to Utica Monday Nights for many years, this is a wonderful event,” Nojaim said.

The Common Council voted to support the event in an 8-1 vote a few weeks ago. Councilman Ed Bucciero was the lone no vote.

Next Monday will feature the  Mark Rolos Band playing from 6pm to 7pm, sponsored by Big Apple Music, and Monk Rowe and John Hutson playing from 7pm to 8:30pm, sponsored by Councilman Jim Zecca.

By Larry Tanoury Jr.