Not only is today the first day of summer, but it is also the World Day of Music, and Bradford is celebrating the day with its very own music festival.
The event kicks off at 5 p.m. today on Main Street and goes until 8:30 p.m.
There will be four performance stages for the festival, including one on Main Street, two in the PNC parking lots and the fourth in the CNB parking lot on Chambers Street.
The food vendors will be located along Chambers Street as well.
The Lion’s Club, the Sweet Shop in Kane, CJ’s BBQ, Jimmy Johnson’s, a Slice of the 80s and the Landmark Cafe, will be the six food vendors for the event.
The festival will cater to those with various tastes in music, as well as allowing individuals to make music of their own with various demonstrations and hands-on workshops throughout the event.
There will also be a children’s “Instrument Petting Zoo,” a children’s craft area, as well as a Chinese auction.
Ed Wright, of Wright’s Music Shed, is the head of the event. He came up with the idea from a magazine article from a trade magazine. He then approached the downtown Bradford office, and they helped him organize the festival.
“There’s more to music than seeing bands march down the street,” stated Wright on why he feels this is an important event.
He feels that this festival is something unique to the area because it showcases various types of music, but also lets everyone in the community be involved.
“It’s about the importance of music and what it means to so many people,”said Wright.
One of the bands performing, the Howard Foster Band, is a group of individuals all in their 90s.
Wright says that they are of course looking for a good turn out, but it is always hard to tell, especially with a first-time event.
He hopes that individuals will take the time to come down and enjoy some music and food, and maybe even learn a few things.
The Chinese auction begins at 8:30 p.m., and various things will be auctioned off including a handmade music quilt, a chainsaw carving, an ink and pen sketch, a watercolor painting, a PN Electrical bluetooth speaker, and a summer fun bucket with gift certificates for all around the area.
This is one of 750 music festivals going on around the world today, according to Wright.
The event is free, and Chambers Street to Kennedy Street will be closed from 4 until 9 p.m.
The specific times of events are as follows:
4:00-4:45 Vandoren Reed Clinic at Wright’s Music Shed
5:00-5:30 Dr. David Myslewski-Stage A
5:00-5:45 Olean High School String Ensemble-Stage C
5:00-6:00 Crown-Stage D
5:30-6:15 WMC Jazz Band-Stage B
6:00-6:30 Drum Circle-Stage C
6:00-7:00 Marshmellow Overcoat-Stage A
6:15-7:15 Crook Farm Band-Stage D
6:30-7:00 Bagpipers-Stage B
7:15-8:15 Twin Tiers Concert Band-Stage B
7:30-8:30 Marshmellow Overcoat-Stage A
7:30-8:30 Southern Tier Symphony-Stage C
7:30-8:30 Howard Foster Band-Stage D
5:30-8:30- food court, Children’s Instrument “Petting Zoo” at NEMC Booth, vendor displays & demonstrations
8:30 Chinese Auction
