Kick-Off Event on July 12th featuring Chris Merkley’s Rocky Bottom Trio
HAMILTON, NEW YORK- Thursday Concerts on the Green will be kicking off July 12, 2018 on Hamilton’s Village Green in the center of downtown Hamilton. The first event of our summer series will highlight a terrific American blues roots band, Chris Merkley’s Rocky Bottom Trio. Merkley has performed throughout the United States and Europe, having released nine albums with a variety of groups. He’s also composed and produced pieces of original music for TV and several independent films. One of his latest projects is converting a school bus into an eco-minded vehicle for touring and recording. We are excited to host this talented and innovative artist right here in Hamilton.
In addition to terrific performances, each night will be dedicated to important community service providers (teachers, first responders, health care professionals,etc) and include family-friendly events. Folks are encouraged to dine on the Village Green. Local food trucks will be present selling their specialties and local restaurants ready for you to take out something tasty. Ice cream, generously provided by Hood Dairy, will be sold on the Green with 100% of the proceeds going to worthy non-profit organizations.
This Thursday’s event will honor and recognize our first responders including the Hamilton Police Dept., the Madison County Sheriff, the Hamilton Fire Dept., SOMAC Ambulance and Colgate Campus Safety. Each unit will bring a car or truck, and have a short presentation. Families can then interact with the First Responders and vehicles! The Hamilton Area Community Coalition and Hamilton Police Dept. will have a booth with the safety message “Parents Who Host Lose the Most”, educating parents about underage drinking laws and alcohol safety in their home. The Madison County Sheriff’s Dept. will have their STOP-DWI info booth, and interactive activities for all ages. Colgate Campus Safety will have a booth with “See Something – Say Something” messaging. Hamilton Business Alliance, Syracuse Behavioral Health, and other groups will also have booths set up!
Money collected this week from the ice cream donated by Hood Dairy will benefit the Hamilton Police Department and will be put towards an equipped police bike for patrols.
Yard games will be available for all including: KanJam, Corn Hole, and the Ladder Game, courtesy of Parry’s General Store, as well as Giant Jenga, Yard Yahtzee, and a Washer Toss game.
This week’s event begins at 5:30 PM and First Responder presentations will start at 6:00 PM. Music will run from 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM. For more information and rain date locations, please visit www.facebook.com/thursdayconcertsonthegreen.
The evening’s concert and events are free for all to enjoy! The rain location for this event is the Palace Theater.
The Village of Hamilton is making this series possible with the generous support of the following sponsors: The Mid-York Foundation, Hamilton Rotary, NBT Bank, Hamilton Lions Club, and Hamilton Masonic Lodge #120, as well as in-kind donations from Hood Dairy, the Hamilton Movie Theater, Hamilton Area Community Coalition, M&M Press, Flour and Salt Bakery, and Scrap Paper Social.
