“We’ve beat the weather almost every time, I don’t think we’ve had a cancellation yet,” Hines said. “We’re really roughing it out with the weather.”
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Hines said the Square has been crowded every week, especially when the Naked Karate Girls performed a couple of weeks ago. The township is also expecting a crowd on Thursday, when Parrotheads who don’t want to venture down to Riverbend for the Jimmy Buffet concert can flock to see Parrots of the Caribbean at the Square.
Hines said their show and atmosphere will be much more family oriented.
“Jimmy Buffet’s coming to Riverbend so it’s kind of a free alternative for people who might not want to go down there and deal with that crazy crowd,” Hines said. “We have a Jimmy Buffet cover band, Parrots of the Caribbean. I think it’ll be a good, family-friendly alternative.”
Barb Wilson, the township’s director of public information and engagement, said the free concerts on the Square are funded through a partnership with First Financial Bank. The free concerts were made possible through township funds and monies that have been set aside in an endowment with the Community Foundation by First Financial Bank and a couple other corporate sponsors.”
“The township budgets $20,000 and we typically spend another $15,000 to $20,000 from the endowment at the Community Foundation which is funded by presenting sponsor First Financial Bank,” she said. “The total cost for this year’s series will be about $35,000.”
Proceeds from beer sales at the event benefit non-profit groups. This year’s recipients are the Union Centre Boulevard Merchant Association, the VFW and Knights of Columbus.
The township spends about $12,000 putting on the concert series at Keehner Park
Hines noted they are also gearing up for another crowd to converge when Blessid Union of Souls performs on Aug. 8. Schedules for both concert venues can be found at https://www.westchesteroh.org/.
Remaining Takeover on the Square concerts:
July 18 – Parrots of the Caribbean
July 25 – 90 Proof Twang
Aug. 1 – Dat Band
Aug. 8 – Blessid Union of Souls
Aug. 15 – 2nd Wind
Aug. 22 – Bad Habit
Aug. 29 – 3 Piece Revival
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