Festival season in full swing
Several events kick off this weekendTribune Chronicle
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Community Day to boost nonprofit groups
More than 20 area nonprofit organizations will participate in Community Day in the Park Friday in downtown Warren.
Held in conjunction with Noon in the Park, Community Day gives groups a chance to increase awareness and provide information about their purpose and programs.
Participating agencies include League of Women Voters of Trumbull County (registering workers for November election); SOPHIA (Stop One Place, Help is Available); Area Agency on Aging, District 11; Eastgate Regional Council of Governments - Air Quality Program; Upton Association; Sutliff Museum; YWCA of Warren; Trumbull County Genealogical Society; Consumer Credit Counseling Service; Warren Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic; Warren-Trumbull County Public Library; 12 Trumbull County Lead Task Force; First Book Trumbull County (with volunteer sign-up); Warren Philharmonic Orchestral; Trumbull County AIDS Task Force; Community Volunteer Council; Trumbull County Metro Parks; American Red Cross (selling raffle tickets for car giveaway); Kent State University Trumbull Campus; Warren Women's Junior League; Geauga Trumbull Solid Waste District; Warren Civic Music Association; and Trumbull Art Gallery.
Community Day in the Park runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday in Courthouse Square Park at North Park Avenue and West Market Street. Regular Noon in the Park food vendors will be selling refreshments for the lunchtime crowd.
For more information, call the Fine Arts Council of Trumbull County at 330-399-1212.
The Fourth of July may be more than a week away, but many communities are getting into the festival spirit early.
Here are some of the options for Mahoning Valley residents:
MAHONING VALLEY RIB BURN OFF
The annual Mahoning Valley Rib Burn Off will be held in Niles in front of the Eastwood Mall today through Sunday. Aside from the food, the event features live music all four days.
The Battle of the Bands opens the event today with Captain Braskey, 5 Elements, Grey Dealer, Grand Fury and The Zou. Each will play a 45-minute set starting at 6 p.m. At the end of the night, a panel of judges will award a $1,000 prize to the winner.
Jason ''JT'' Tibolla, one of the hosts of the ''Homegrown Show'' at 9 p.m. Sundays on WNCD-FM, said the five bands represented the most requested acts on the radio show and display the diversity of the local music scene.
''These bands give you that outdoor vibe, listen and have a good time,'' Tibolla said.
Three classic rock acts also will make return appearances.
Friday will feature two western Pennsylvania acts with large Mahoning Valley followings. Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers are scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday, followed by Donnie Iris & the Cruisers (whose hits include ''Ah, Leah'' and ''Love Is Like a Rock'') at 10 p.m.
''Like Michael Stanley, Donnie Iris is a perfect Rib Burn Off act,'' Burn Off founder Dominic Baragona said. ''He interacts with the crowd and gets everyone going.''
Saturday's lineup will be headlined by Blue Oyster Cult, whose current lineup features original lead singer Eric Bloom and original guitarist Donald ''Buck Dharma'' Roeser, the band is known for such songs as ''Burnin' for You,'' ''Godzilla'' and ''(Don't Fear) The Reaper.''
And the classic rock cover band The Earthquakers returns to perform on the final day of the festival.
LIONS CLUB CORTLAND STREET FAIR
In Cortland, the annual Lions Club Cortland Street Fair is being held downtown today through Saturday.
The highlight today is the queen contest at 7 p.m.
A parade will step off 6 p.m. Saturday from East Main Street and Willow, continuing downtown around Grover Drive and up West Main Street and ends at Cortland Elementary School. The grand marshal is Dr. Kimber Mackenzie of the Western Reserve Veterinary Hospital. The master of ceremonies is Jimmy DiGiacobbe.
Other events include a flag-raising ceremony at 6:30 p.m. and a DJ at 7 p.m. today; the Cortland Community Band at 6 p.m. and a DJ at 7 p.m. Friday; and a children's matinee from 1 to 5 p.m. and Jeff Walsh Band at 8 p.m. Saturday.
There also will be rides by Lisko Amusement, concession stands and games throughout the festival.
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
For those who enjoy music, the summer lawn concert series kicks off at 7 p.m. today at the McKinley Memorial Library in Niles. Concerts will be held Thursdays throughout the summer. Scheduled today is the rock band Following June.
NOON IN THE PARK
In Warren, people can gorge on music and food at the Noon in the Park each Friday on Courthouse Square. Food vendors start serving at 11:30 a.m. and live music plays at noon in the gazebo. This week, the entertainment will be local blues band Jang-A-Lang.
MAHONING VALLEY SCRAPPERS
The Mahoning Valley Scrappers return today from a road trip to begin a six-day homestand at Eastwood Field.
The farm club of the Cleveland Indians play the Batavia Muckdogs today through Saturday, and Auburn Doubledays Sunday through Tuesday. All games begin at 7:05 p.m.
CHRISTIAN MUSIC
Seven Christian bans will be performing Saturday at a free benefit concert for the Bristol Area Food Pantry. The concert will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7200, state Route 534, West Farmington.
The event also will include a 50-50 raffle and refreshments.
CONCERT BY THE RIVER
A summer tribute Concert by the River will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Warren Community Amphitheatre across from Courthouse Square in downtown Warren. Scheduled to perform is Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band Vicious Cycle and the Juke Hounds.
FAMILY FUN DAY
Newton Falls will hold a Family Fun Day from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the city park on Quarry Street. Activities will include a Chalk on the Walk, a watermelon eating contest at 1 p.m., a ventriloquist at 2 p.m. and other games and activities.
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Judyann
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06-26-08 7:05 PM
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LOL
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pahootaman
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06-26-08 3:04 PM
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"by the we're done with this, you'll all be wearing golden diapers!"
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DisplacedBuckeye
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06-26-08 2:46 PM
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Hey, anyone going to see Blue Oyster Cult? Don't forget the cow bell!!
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pahootaman
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06-26-08 9:19 AM
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I remember seeing 38 special at the Eastwood Mall one year. Good times.
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