Town of Greenville Maine

"IN THE NEWS"

Gazebo concerts successful, organizers say by SHELAGH TALBOT - GREENVILLE - On May 25, Greenville Town Manager John Simko; Susan Crippen, executive director of NCHC (North Country Healthy Communities) and Stephanie Gardner, who was executive director of the Moosehead Region Chamber of Commerce at the time, proposed that the recently-constructed gazebo in the downtown area be utilized for a series of concerts.

As part of the strategy, they encouraged local merchants to keep their stores and restaurants open on those nights in hopes that the people coming to see and hear the concerts would avail themselves of dining and shopping opportunities. It was felt that this would begin to address the common complaint of "nothing to do" in Greenville in the evenings. In addition to $1,000 seed money from the town's economic development fund, 14 local businesses chipped in $100 apiece to fund the concert series. Simko noted that this was a great example of how towns and businesses can work together.

The concert series was also initiated to promote local musicians such as the Doughty Hill Band, the Old Grey Goose Band, Bows and Strings, Joe Bolf and his Moose Band and the group Syntonic. "After the second concert, we decided to pass a can around for donations," Crippen said. "We took in a little over $600, which we will use to help fund next years' concert series."

Crippen also went around to the merchants and restaurants after the series ended to get input as to how the concert series impacted the business community.

Most merchants and restaurants agreed that the concert series was a great idea but they did not see any increase in business directly related to the concert goers. In fact, some said that the concerts took people away from the businesses so they operated at a loss because they had to hire extra help to come in when they stayed open late.

One store owner noted that the concerts were very well executed and townsfolk and tourists alike enjoyed it and wanted more. One restaurant suggested a larger sound system so that the concert could be heard throughout the downtown area.

Everyone felt that it was a big plus to the community to have evening activities available, and it was nice to see the town open and active on summer nights.

A number of businesses said that they would like to close before the concerts started so they could enjoy the music too. Overall, most restaurants and businesses agreed to support the series next summer.
"This content originally appeared as a copyrighted article in the Moosehead Messenger and is used here with permission."