Christmas in July featured at Friday’s concert

Prizes awarded to best displays

Holiday Cheer, Santa Meets the Big Band, and the Nightmare Before Christmas will fill Russell Park, Akron, NY with “sounds of the season” as Akron Community Band celebrates Christmas in July under the direction of Holly Meides and Karlyn Backus on Friday, July 25 beginning at 8 p.m.  This is the fifth of eight scheduled concerts in their 102nd season.

All are invited to find your Christmas decorations and to make a plan to decorate your area of Russell Park for the annual Christmas display contest. Prizes will be awarded to the best displays.  The best displays will be awarded prizes donated by Pixley’s ShurFine, China King, Martin’s Mercantile, and DC Hardware.

Past winners have created a Christmas village, the scene around a Christmas tree, an inviting fireplace, the Twelve Days of Christmas, and a Very Beary Christmas.

Judging begins at 7:30 p.m.

Break out your Christmas decorations and decorate your chair, the space around you, and/or yourself to participate in this fun event.

Selections on Friday’s program also include: The Polar Express, Santa the Barbarian, Sleigh Ride, and other Christmas favorites.

Remaining concerts, sponsored by the Village of Akron, Town of Newstead, and County of Erie begin at 8 p.m. in the Russell Park gazebo, Main St., Akron on Friday, Friday, August 1; Friday, August 8, Friday, August 15.

All concerts are free to the public.  Lawn chairs and blankets are recommended.  There is some seating available in Russell Park.  American Legion selling refreshments in the park stand.

There is no rain location.  The band does everything possible to get a concert in each Friday night.  Unless the radar shows there is no possibility of clearing by 8 p.m. the band will not cancel the concert prior to its scheduled start.