Hot music options for the rest of season at Tuscora Park
Summer Showcase producers Joe and Mindy Croft have headed the event for five years. They have helped for many years in the concert series and the First Town Days Festival.
Tuscora Park’s Summer Showcase, which features weekly Sunday night concerts at the park’s amphitheater for free, is approaching the end of its 2023 season.
There will be something for everyone, from country music and a Billy Joel/Elton John tribute to big band and 1960s and 1970s hits, all ending on Sept. 3 with the Tuscarawas Philharmonic performing a mix of patriotic, light classical, Broadway, jazz and movie tunes. The concerts are from 7-9 p.m.
The Trumpet in the Land singers will entertain July 30. The group is sponsored by Park Village Healthcare.
“We haven’t had them for a couple of years, and it’s going to be fun to have them back. They always do a great show,” said Joe Croft, who produces the show with his wife Mindy.
Country music will be featured at the show Aug. 6.
“One of my personal favorites is Michelle Robinson from the Cincinnati area. She was nominated for a country music award this year, the Josie Award,” Croft said. “If you’d like country music at all, she’s worth coming out to see. She puts on a great show with a lot of energy.”
The Josie Music Awards recognize talent in the independent music industry and are considered a top recognition for the winners and nominees.
With her stage presence and voice, Robinson has opened for many national acts. She also writes music. Her show is being sponsored by Kennedy Insurance.
A bonus Summer Showcase event is The Park United — A Community Night of Worship — to be held Monday, Aug. 7. The theme for the fifth annual Park United is “One Voice.” Everyone, young and old, is invited to attend a service led by area musicians and singers.
Aug. 13 at 6:30 p.m., entertainer Walt Wise will present two shows in one with 52nd Street, featuring the music of Billy Joel, and Captain Fantastic, featuring the music of Elton John. It will be the first time Wise has performed at Summer Showcase; he has performed at many nationally known venues.
The show is sponsored by WJER Radio, Smart Way Communications and the Dover-Phila Federal Credit Union.
“We’re looking forward to that being a really great show. We’re actually going to start that show at 6:30, simply because he’s got a little bit more than two hours’ worth of music,” Croft said. “WJER has a lot of things that they want to do prior to the show. They’re going to introduce everybody, so it should be a really fun night.”
The Jericho Big Band will bring swing music to Tuscora Park. The band has a long history in the area. It was started in 1974 by a group of Dover High School band students. The group disbanded for a time but was resurrected in 2016 and has been entertaining audiences ever since. The show is sponsored by Dee’s Restaurant and A & M Service Center.
Aug. 27 Vinyl Sunshine will bring the groove to Tuscora Park with American pop hits from the 1960s and 1970s. They’ll cover hits from The Monkees, The Turtles, The Doors, The Byrds, Paul Revere & the Raiders, Janis Joplin, Lovin’ Spoonful, Jefferson Airplane, Three Dog Night and more. The show is sponsored by The Commercial & Savings Bank.
The Tuscarawas Philharmonic will cap off the 2023 Summer Showcase season with a performance Sept. 3. The show is sponsored by AAA of Tuscarawas Advised Fund, James and Linda Angel Rice, and the Tuscarawas County Community Foundation.
“We always look forward to having them here. They’re just tremendous, and we generally get a nice crowd,” Croft said.
The crowd is something he’s happy about because there are so many other activities going on over the holiday weekend.
Visitors to the Summer Showcase can have their choice of seating.
“We have the aluminum bench seating in front of the amphitheater, and on the hillside, it’s bring your own chairs or a blanket. There’s lots of seating, and there’s not a bad seat in the house,” Croft said.
Volunteers Marc Davis, Dale Denham and Sam Hitchcock provide golf cart rides to anyone who might have trouble walking the distance from the parking area to the amphitheater.
“We start giving golf cart rides about an hour before every program, and we will take you right back to your vehicle at the end of the night,” Croft said.
The golf carts typically circle the park looking for those who need a ride.
Summer Showcase is dependent on sponsors to fund the shows.
“These shows don’t happen without the show sponsors that we have every year,” Croft said. “And then we sell program books to help pay the rest of the bills, and we do take donations during the shows.”
The location is another reason so many enjoy the Summer Showcase series.
“It’s just fun to come to Tuscora Park in general,” Croft said. He invites everyone to stop by on Sunday night for a concert.
Visit www.tuscorapark.com.