Port Colborne adds huge summer concert series – and it’s all free

Things are going to get loud and rockin’ on Saturday nights in Port Colborne this summer as they added a brand new outdoor Community Concert Series.

The best part – it’s all free for residents and visitors alike. In a unique twist, all the shows, presented in partnership with Port Colborne’s Main Street BIA and the Downtown Port Colborne BIA, won’t be at one single venue but will rotate to different parks around the city.

“We always have so many fantastic events in during the warmer months and these concerts are an awesome addition,” said Port Colborne Mayor Bill Steele.

“I love that we can offer more free events for our residents and visitors, and I can’t wait to attend the first concert next weekend and see Freedom Train at Lock 8 Gateway Park beside the Canal. They are one of my personal favourites!”

The free Community Concert series, which starts June 10, features a very solid lineup of artists including Freedom Train, the Dreamboats, Grace2 Tragically Hip Tribute, Mystic Highway and many more.

Here’s the lineup and the venues for the concert series.

Saturday, June 10

• Lock 8 Gateway Park (part of the Main Street BIA’s Day in the Park event)
• Event runs from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Opening band: Walter James Duo (12:30 p.m.)
• Headliner: Freedom Train (2:15 p.m.)

Saturday, June 17

• H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park
• Event runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Opening band: The Repeatles (6 p.m.)
• Headliner: The Dreamboats (7:30 p.m.)

Saturday, July 1

• West Street (part of the Canada Day celebrations)
• Event runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Opening band: XPrime (6:30 p.m.)
• Headliner: Grace2: Tragically Hip Tribute (8:30 p.m.)

Saturday, July 15

• H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park
• Event runs from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Opening band: Avenue Inn (1 p.m.)
• Headliner: Mystic Highway: Tribute to CCR and John Fogerty (4:30 p.m.)

Friday, September 22

• King George Memorial Park (kickoff to the Downtown Port Colborne BIA’s Harvest Fest)
• Event runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Opening band: Mackenzie Leigh Meyer
• Headliner: MY LIFE Tribute to the Music of Billy Joel (8 p.m.)

“The Main Street BIA is excited to host their first Day in the Park event at Lock 8, Gateway Park, on Saturday, June 10 from noon to 4 pm,” said the Main St BIA. “The event highlights some of the best that Port Colborne and Main Street has to offer with live entertainment, kid-friendly activities, food trucks and vendors and a maker’s market.”

Jesse Boles, Chairperson of the Downtown Port Colborne BIA, added her group was excited to partner with the city and bring in all the free nights of music.

“Nothing quite says summer like outdoor entertainment and festivals. We are uniquely fortunate in Port Colborne to have a multitude of unique and scenic venues to accommodate live entertainment,” said Boles.

“Our Canada Day Party on West will be a night to remember as will our kickoff to fall with our Harvest Fest Concert in King George Park. We have an impressive selection of unique and eclectic food choices amongst our Downtown Restauranteurs for a small town complemented by a great shopping experience.”

In addition, the City of Port Colborne’s Department of Museum & Culture in partnership with the Friends of Roselawn Centre have also organized a separate Sunday summer concert series to fill in some of the missing days.

Here’s their line-up:

Sunday, June 25

• Roselawn Centre Lawn
• Event runs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Headliner: The Nu-Tones (1:10 p.m.)

Sunday, July 16

• Roselawn Centre Lawn
• Event runs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Headliner: Second Hand News (1:10 p.m.)

Sunday, August 27

• Roselawn Centre Lawn
• Event runs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Headliner: Toronto All-Star Big Band (1:10 p.m.)