Celebration of Erie

By Lucas Scotts

There are many things that Erie is famous for but the few things that make her beautiful are the majestic and fine arts along with the incredibly talented musicians that make the musical magic that is produced along her shoreline every week.

This weekend the streets of downtown Erie will turn into an artistically, musical extravaganza with over a hundred performers and artists.

Celebrate Erie is an annual event, that in a short time has become, what seems to be a historical staple of our City’s cultural and art scene. Thousands of attendees will have the chance to experience the taste of exquisite foods, be amazed by a variety of entertainers, and have the chance to view lots of the area’s most brilliant local art. The three and a half day event has something for everyone in the family, from the Kids Zone to the Cultural Event, the Learning Adventure to the Dancers, and from the Concessions to the Bands.

The festivities will begin Thursday with the annual Chalk Walk, an artistic collection of murals by local artists using pastels to bring their work to life along the center of State Street. Again, this year, attendees to Celebrate Erie will be able to judge their favorite pieces.

Also, on Thursday will be the Artist Colony where attendees can spend the evening with local premier artists. Artist Colony will be located in the Taste of Erie Park. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy fine dining, vote on the ERIEsistable Entrée, view art & meet with the local artists at the Artist Colony.

Throughout the downtown area will be stages for many performances such as demonstrations by Premier Martial Arts and King Cobra, be sure to grab some information from their booths for classes. In addition, Dance Elite* will be making an appearance again this year to make you shake and rattle your body. Lake Erie Ballet, Erie Dance Conservatory, Erie Dance Theatre, and Rince Na Tiarna Dancers will be included in this year’s celebration giving their students and instructors the opportunity to show their audience just what well-trained dancers can do.

Erie Playhouse will be a part of this year’s events with their own presentations of, “Showstoppers” for the kids; you do not want to miss these stellar Playhouse performances.

There will be many activities for the children that will include puppet shows, magic shows, the kids’ zone and the learning adventure. These activities are designed to teach kids while they learn and have fun.

Some of the Kids Zone Tent activities for Celebrate Erie will include Monster Murals, Face Painting, Safe Kids Erie, Rock School at World of Music, Chalk Drawing for Kids, Mickey Mouse Blow-up, Castle Blow up, Large blow up Chess Game, Betsy & Friends Puppet Making, and expERIEnce Children’s Museum.

All weekend Celebrate Erie will have a wide diversity of musicians playing on the three stages that they will have set up on State Street at the corners of 4th and 11th Streets along with the third being the Gazebo at Perry Square.

Among the talented bands and musicians that will be performing this year will include, The Groove, Erie All Stars – Tribute to Woodstock {feat. Eric Brewer, Doug Phillips, Ron Sutton, Matt Boland, Joe Cieslak, Sean Dunn, Tom Hitt, Roy Hollis, Tony Kellogg, Rick Krouse, Monica Lewis, Tommy Link, Charlie Meyer, Julio Quezada, Rick Sadlier, Kayti Stadler, and Ron Yarosz}, HAMMERD, Jake’s Blues, Rick Magee & the Roadhouse Rockers, Refuge, Next of Kin, Kevlar, Mambo, Paddy Wacked, Jackson Station, Broke Boland and the Dirty Pickles, Face Down in High Water, M4, Chasing Moira, Charysma, Raven Band, Cover Story, Romantic Era, Drunk In Memphis, Thirst ‘n Howl, Ruby Port Band, Gem City Jazz Ensemble, Natasha Witherspoon, Ron Yarosz and the Vehicle, Jim Moore – Elvis Appreciator, Abbey Road, Breeze Band, Dixie Doodlers, Glenwood Hillbillies, Cash Cows, Key West Express, Cats a Bear, MJT, 25 or 64, Salmon Frank, and Ruby Port Band.

This year’s Headliners will be SHA NA NA, Bret Michaels, and Lonestar.

Lonestar is an American country music group. Originally formed in Nashville in 1992, Lonestar is known for merging their country roots with strong melodies and rich vocals.

Sha Na Na a rock and roll band whose name is taken from a part of the long series of nonsense syllables in the doo-wop hit song “Get a Job”, originally recorded in 1957 by the Silhouettes.

They bill themselves as “from the streets of New York” and outfit in gold lamé, leather jackets, and pompadour and ducktail hairdos, Sha Na Na performs songs and dance repertoires of classic fifties rock and roll, simultaneously reviving and sending up the music and 1950s New York street culture.

Bret Michaels is one of the original members and lead vocalist of the 80s glam metal bands Poison. Michaels recorded his first solo album in 1998. Bret Michaels  has done charity work for both Armed Forces Entertainment and American Diabetes Association.

Celebrate Erie will round out this year’s super sized event with a grand display of fireworks, presented by Presque Isle Downs and Casino, and sure to be an explosive showstopper.

Make no excuses and have no regrets this weekend, be sure to visit Celebrate Erie and experience the plethora of tremendous talent, sights and sounds that this incredible event has to offer.

For a complete list of events, performers and performances, along with schedules please visit Celebrate Erie’s website.