Staycations are all the rage as many buckle down on excessive spending by forgoing the big, expensive out-of-town summer get-away. But does staying close to home mean the next three months will be boring. Not a chance. For music lovers, there’s no place like home in the Mahoning Valley. The number of free concerts taking place will keep many a toe tapping.

The W.D. Packard Concert Band, the Pride of Warren since 1955, will be busy through August keeping big band buffs happy. All concerts are free and open to the public courtesy of the W.D. Packard Trust. The following is the schedule for the W.D. Packard Concert Band with all concerts taking place at the South Lawn band shell unless noted.

Sunday, June 14 Summer Band Concert 7:00 p.m.
(A Salute to Flag Day – Flags and Music Around the World)

Sunday, June 28 Summer Band Concert 7:00 p.m.
(Music for a Summer Evening)

Saturday, July 4 Concert & Fireworks 8:00 p.m. – Music Hall
(Fireworks display by Zambelli Fireworks)

Friday, July 24 Packard Dixieland Band 3:00 p.m. – Music Hall
Saturday, July 25 Big Band Sound of Packard Noon – Music Hall
Saturday, July 25 Dancing Under the Stars 8:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 26 Summer Band Concert 7:00 p.m. (TBA)

Sunday, August 9 Summer Band Concert 7:00 p.m. (TBA)

Sunday, August 23 Summer Band Concert 7:00 p.m(TBA).

The 42-acre Packard Park is home to the W.D. Packard Music Hall. When stage events take place, the Hall can seat more than 2,400. When the Hall is used for banquets, it can seat at least 500 people.

Those who frequent the Packard Music Hall know how hard the staffs, Board of Trustees, the Foundation Board and the numerous volunteers work to make this Warren, Ohio facility such a landmark in the community, which in turn would make founder and industrialist William Doud Packard (1861-1923) very proud.

Packard was known to love a good military march; so much so he specifically included a provision in his will stating his desire that music be a part of Warren’s culture long after his death. William’s wealth from the Packard Automotive Company and the Packard Motor Car Company, businesses he founded in the 1890s along with his brother James Ward Packard, helped make this a reality. Through a trust fund established for this purpose, the Music Hall was built with the remaining money to be used to maintain a band to perform there. World War II slowed the plan a bit, but in October of 1955 the Music Hall was finished and ready to go.

The W.D. Packard Music Hall is located at

1703 Mahoning Ave Nw
Warren, OH 44483-2008

For more information, visit their website at www.packardmusichall.com or call 330-841-2619.

Free Music in Y-Town Abundant this Summer is a post from: Youngstown Blog

June 24 Youngstown Area Community Concert Band
July 1 Colin Dussault’s Blues Project
July 8 Rudy and the Professionals (a taste of the Caribbean)
July 15 Del Sinchak/Eddie Vallus II (Polka)
July 19 Bid Bad Voodoo Daddy
July 22 The Eldorado Band (Country)
July 26 Aftermath (Experience the 60s) at both 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
July 29 Teddy Pantelas Quartet (Jazz)
August 5 Jones For Revival (Youngtown’s jam band)
August 12 Don Burns Orchestra (Big Band)
August 19 Conjunto Riquena (Latin)
August 26 Youngtown’s Total Package Band (high energy R&B)
Sept. 2 No Xcuse (Rock, 80s, 90s, and today)
Sept 9 Easy Street Productions (favorites)

For more information concerning the Mill Creek MetroParks Summerfest Spectacular for 2009 call 330-702-3000.
With the free concert line-up offered by Packard Music Hall and Mill Creek MetroParks, (note – no dates conflict), it is a sure bet the people of the Mahoning Valley will be humming a happy tune all summer long.

Mill Creek MetroParks Summerfest Spectacular is a post from: Youngstown Blog

Fellowship Gardens Illuminate the Holidays

The Gardens at Mill Creek MetroParks are a wonder to see anytime of the year, but during the month of December, it is holiday glitz at its finest. Those attending the Winter Celebration: Golden Holiday at Fellows Riverside Gardens this month will see creative floral arrangements as well as trees decorated to highlight what makes the Mahoning Valley unique. Stop by on Sunday for the buffet in the Garden Café. Winter Celebration is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through January 4.

And for a special treat, visit the Gardens, Sunday, December 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for Gardens by Candlelight. Luminaries and holiday lighting brighten the way so families can enjoy a wintry walk through Fellows Riverside Gardens at night. After your stroll, stop by the Davis Center for music, cocoa, coffee and cookies. Call 330-702-3000 for more information.

Victorian Holiday Walk Down Millionaires’ Row

Be sure to visit downtown Warren, Ohio, on Sunday, December 14 for the Victorian Holiday Walk – a walking tour along Historic Millionaires’ Row on Mahoning Ave. NW. The walking tour runs from noon to 6 p.m. and costs $5 for adults with children 12 and under being free. Included in the tour is the Connecticut Land Title Office, the Perkins Mansion, the Sutliff Museum, the First Presbyterian Church and the Kinsman, Upton and John Starks Edwards Houses all decorated for the holidays.

For more information on this event and purchasing tickets, call the Tourism Office at 330-675-3081 or visit www.exploretrumbullcounty.com

New Year’s Eve in the Mahoning Valley

First Night Youngstown

First Night Youngstown, downtown Youngstown is a family friendly, alcohol-free New Year’s Eve celebration of the Arts presented by First Night Youngstown, Inc. a not-for-profit organization. The Opening Ceremony will take place 5:30 p.m. at 20 Federal Plaza (the PharMor Center) in downtown Youngstown. More than 15 event venues will offer revelers entertainment – including magicians, dancers, a laser light show and fireworks to ring in the New Year – food, and more.

Admission Buttons are $10 for adults; $5 for students age 13 through college-age (must have a student ID) and senior citizens. Children 12 and under are free! Buttons can be purchased at the Arms Family Museum and Bliss Hall at YSU the night of the event and at The First Night Youngstown Event Headquarters located at City Centre One, 100 Federal Plaza E, Suite 150. The Event Schedule and maps are available at all venues throughout the night.

Free parking will be available at various locations throughout the downtown area and the WRTA will provide constant shuttle service between venues throughout the night.
For more information call the Event Headquarters at 330-744-9966 or visit www.firstnightyoungstown.org

First Night Canfield

Celebrating its 11th year First Night Canfield will also offer a family friendly, alcohol-free New Year’s Eve celebration in the village of Canfield, Ohio. First Night Canfield runs from 6 p.m. to midnight, Wednesday, Dec. 31 and will include numerous children’s activities and other entertainment including musicians, illusionists, performers, and fireworks at midnight. A special feature of this First Night event is the Cabaret Dinner Show which is $27.50 for adults and $17.50 for those 18 and younger. This cost also includes an Admission Button.

Admission Buttons sans the Cabaret are $10 for adults and free for students 18 years and younger. An admission button is required at all First Night Canfield events. Buttons are available now and can be purchased at any number of locations including the First Night Canfield office located at 40 S. Broad St. in Canfield. Visit www.firstnightcanfield.com or call 330-533-2290 for more information.

Calendar of Events for December is a post from: Youngstown Blog

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Blog Writers Wanted is a post from: Youngstown Blog