The City of Lock Haven and its various sponsors have announced the 2018 Summer Concert Series. The schedule, which includes 13 performances in Triangle Park and 10 performances at the J. Doyle Corman Amphitheater and Floating Stage along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, offers a variety of music including blues, rock, jazz, country and bluegrass.

The concerts begin in Triangle Park on June 1 with the Deacons of Dixieland and continue each Friday evening. Performances include Kick Trax on June 8; Keystone Society of Swing on June 15, The Lindy Sisters on June 22, Biscuit Jam on June 29, The Repasz Band on July 6; Last Resort on July 13; The Clark McLane Band on July 20; John Stevens’ Double Shot on July 27; the New Broad River Band on August 3; Bellefonte Community Band on August 10; and Big Willy on August 17. The season ends at the park on August 24 with the Central PA Community Band and Lock Haven Community Chorus.

The Gabe Stillman Band will kick of the summer concerts on the river at the J. Doyle Corman Amphitheater and Floating Stage on Sunday, June 17. The schedule includes The URGE on June 24; Classic Rock Revival on July 1; the Chris Ruble Band on July 8; Into the Spin on July 15; SNUG on July 22; Big Daddy Bangers on July 29; Hybrid Ice on August 5; and DUMM on August 12.

The season’s final concert on the river will coincide with the LH JAMS festival with a special Saturday evening concert on August 18 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm by the Chicago Authority.

The city is celebrating 20 years of free summer concerts.

From 1998 to 2018, the city has hosted a total of 445 performances in Triangle Park and on the Floating Stage. The free summer concert series has been solely funded by many generous sponsors and community contributions all totaling in excess of $550,000.

The floating stage was purchased in 1997 and the city hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony that October to introduce the community to the new venue. A free concert was given by the band, “The Sirens” demonstrating what could be for residents and visitors. Positioned at the bottom of the J. Doyle Corman Amphitheater, the floating stage has offered the perfect venue for music on the river from June through October each year.

The first full concert series was established during the summer months of 1998 with four concerts on the floating stage. One of the highlights of the 1998 season was an all-day concert, featuring nine bands, that performed for free. A variety of food vendors were on hand to provide refreshments to more than 1,000 people who came to partake in this extraordinary music event. There were performances by bands such as “Toyz” and gospel and country music provided by Kels Lomison and Friends.

The Summer Concert Committee schedules all performances to coincide with other local events, such as the Sentimental Journey Fly-In in June, Woodward Township’s Riverfest in July; the LH JAMS festival in August and the return of the Lock Haven University students at the end of the season.

This year’s schedule will be published on the city’s website at www.lockhavenpa.gov.

Also, read The Express and www.lockhaven.com for weekly features on the bands throughout the series.

Schedules and magnets will be available at the first concert in on Friday, June 1 in Triangle Park and every concert as supplies last.

The summer concert schedule is made possible by sponsorships and community donations. Those interested in purchasing a boat pass may contact the city.

Members of the Summer Concert Committee include City Council representatives Bill Baney, Rick Conklin, and Steve Stevenson; media sponsors Bob Rolley of The Express community newspaper and www.lockhaven.com, Dave Stratton of Bear Country Radio and the Good News Magazine; and John Lipez of the Record; and Shawn Carr representing Clinton County. Maria Boileau, Jack Bailey and Leonora Hannagan serve as city staff representatives.