Published: July 23, 2008 08:38 pm            

Pricketts Fort tunes up summer concert series

FAIRMONT — Everybody likes music. And everybody likes freebies.

So what’s not to like about free concerts?

Pricketts Fort State Park is offering its annual four-part Summer Concert series. All concerts will be held at 7 p.m. at the fort’s 400-seat outdoor amphitheater. There is no admission charge and reservations are not necessary.

“This is one of the most diverse lineups we’ve had,” said Melissa May, executive director of the Pricketts Fort State Park Foundation.

The concerts are:

• Aug. 1: Jim Savarino.

If you like Bob Dylan, you’ll probably like Savarino, she added. The native West Virginian singer-songwriter writes folk songs from the 21st century drawing on his Appalachian roots.

“His music is all original. He will feature a song he’s written for Pricketts Fort. We’re looking forward to hearing that,” she said.

“Some of his music has historical themes and there is a strong environmental message in his work, preserving the natural environment that is so important to West Virginia.”

• Aug. 15: Mon River Big Band, 17-piece jazz ensemble, brings the music from the 1930s and ’40s to life.

• Aug. 29: Gkmania. The three-generation polka band Grkmania is back again, by popular demand.

“They’re based in Pittsburgh and have played the Kennedy Center. So they’re well-known in carrying on the tradition of polka music.”

• Sept. 12: Elmoz Fire, eight-member band, plays classic R & B from the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s.

“Every summer we try to mix it up,” she said. “We repeat popular acts while bringing in some new things. Diversity helps broaden the audience.”

Support from White Hall, Pleasant Valley and the Marion County Commission helps make the series free of charge.

“Our goal is to give back to the community and to bring new people here. The more variety we have, the more likely we are to reach someone who has not been here before. That benefits us in the long run because maybe they’ll come back for a historic tour of the fort.”

Food will be available.

“Come and have a picnic, and stay for the concerts,” she said. “We provide folding chairs, but you may bring your own lawn chair or blanket.”

The fort has additional events planned for the rest of the year.

• Oct. 11-12: The second annual Fall Festival, a chance to see traditional crafts, antiques and fall activities from the 18th century, will be bigger than last year’s, she said. Antiques vendors will be inside the visitor’s center, which will be open without charge. There will be live music. The blacksmith shop will have a ribbon cutting and dedication Oct. 11. An Indian encampment and other activities are also planned. Regular admission applies.

• Oct. 24-26: The 18th century Fall Rendezvous encampment will give a glimpse into the way of life of the fort’s settlers. Tours of the fort require a ticket; the camp is open to the public viewing without additional charge.

• Nov. 28-30, Dec. 5-7: Annual 18th Century Christmas Market will be held throughout the fort. There’s one important change, May said.

“We’re not going to charge admission in any of the buildings.

“In the past there was a ticket price for the historic area, but we’ve spread our vendors throughout the buildings to accommodate more.

“They will be in period dress: 18th century for vendors inside the fort and 19th century for those inside the Job Prickett House. Vendors in the visitor’s center will be dressed in contemporary style.

“There will be no admission charge. You can go shopping through the fort, see how it’s decorated and see people selling their own crafts.”

One thing has not changed, she said.

“We will still have wassail.”

For more information, call 363-3030 or www.prickettsfort.org.

E-mail Debra Minor Wilson at dwilson@timeswv.com.

        

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