Summer is all about outdoor events! In Rutland we have had the opportunity to enjoy band concerts in Main Street Park for about 100 years. There is not much around today that existed before “my time” but this event did!
When I was a child back in the ‘50s I remember sitting on our back porch and hearing the band concerts. But the real way to enjoy them is to actually be there. Because the park is only about one half mile from our home my parents and I would walk down there occasionally on Sunday nights.
When my teenage years arrived I would walk down with my friends. At that age the music was like background noise as we talked among ourselves and enjoyed the food offered at Charlie Hackett’s popcorn stand or Roxie’s Wagon. Both of them were on the West Street side of the park in the city “green belt section.” Charlie Hackett was in a small wooden building that the Rutland Lion’s Club built for him. He was blind but had help often from Mt. St. Joseph Academy students. Roxie’s was a silver bus-like vehicle that was driven to the park. Their fries were a popular choice of many, often drenched with vinegar.
The band members were in uniform and played music ranging from polkas to show tunes and everything in between. The Sunday night band concerts have been enjoyed by me from my youth into today’s senior citizen status.
As adults we need to spread our wings and experience outdoor concerts in addition to those in Main Street Park. That involves some traveling if you want to see the big name performers. Over the years my husband, Peter, and I saw several performances at SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center) and Stratton Mountain Resort.
The original Beach Boys were at SPAC in the ‘90s. It was probably the most fun concert we attended. It was special to see in person the group whose records were often played. One of the most famous performers at SPAC was Elton John back in 1982. We didn’t see that one but according to their website he performed 23 songs that night. Arrowsmith, Billy Idol and Bruce Springsteen also appeared at SPAC in the ‘80s. They had first class performers back then and that is still true today.
Once in a while my husband and I would add an overnight stay to our Saratoga concert experience. The most interesting
