James A. Garfield Historic Site Hosts Geauga Co. Fair Band

On Saturday, July 26, at 2 p.m., the James A. Garfield National Historic Site in Mentor, Ohio will be hosting the Great Geauga County Fair Band for an outdoor community concert that is free and open to the general public. The Great Geauga County Fair Band has been entertaining audiences since 1938 and is made up of musicians of all ages from seven Northeast Ohio counties.

The concert will take place outdoors on the grounds of James A. Garfield National Historic Site, located at 8095 Mentor Avenue in Mentor, Ohio. The historic site is the family home of America’s 20th President, James A. Garfield.

Those attending the concert are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, drinking water, and insect repellant for comfort. Picnic baskets are welcomed; no alcoholic beverages are permitted. A rain date for this concert has been set for the following Saturday, August 2.

Saturday’s concert will include several popular John Philip Sousa marches, including The Gladiator, which is new to the band’s repertoire and was Sousa’s first big hit in 1886. Nostalgic favorites will include the Battle Hymn of the Republic and a medley of tunes from George Gershwin’s opera, Porgy and Bess.

The band’s long-time soloist, Lindsey Sandham Leonard, will provide vocals to several numbers, including the beautiful ballad I’ll Be Seeing You and Irving Berlin’s snappy hit, Puttin’ On The Ritz. Leonard is a popular musical theater performer who was seen most recently in Lakeland Civic Theater’s production of The Light in the Piazza. She will also be seen this summer in Rabbit Run’s production of South Pacific.

The fine musicians performing will include J.c. Sherman, who will be playing a euphonium solo, My Regards. Sherman is a freelance Cleveland area musician and the principal tubist for the Firelands Symphony Orchestra.

This is the band’s first concert at James A. Garfield National Historic Site. Reservations are not required. There is no charge for the concert or to visit the James A. Garfield National Historic Site. There is a $5 entrance fee for the guided tour of the Garfield home.

For more information about the Great Geauga County Fair Band, visit their website. For more information about James A. Garfield National Historic Site, contact the site’s Chief of Interpretation and Education, Todd Arrington, at Todd_Arrington@nps.gov or 440-255-8722, x238.

Photo: The Great Geauga County Fair Band’s 2014 Fourth of July concert

Geauga News
Author: Geauga News