HANCOCK COUNTY — The popular Entertainment on the Plaza concerts in downtown Greenfield have been canceled for the second year in a row due to the COVID pandemic, continuing the hiatus placed on the 33-year musical tradition sponsored by Greenfield Banking Co.
Fortville’s popular summer concert series has also been canceled this year, while organizers in New Palestine and Cumberland are forging ahead with their plans to have live music events this summer.
Organizers at Greenfield Banking Co. had posted on Facebook just last month that the 2021 concert lineup was being finalized but that bank officials would keep an eye on conditions surrounding the pandemic as they unfold.
On Tuesday, May 4, the bank shared news of the cancellation through email and social media posts.
Anecea Woodrow, the bank’s assistant marketing director, said conditions surrounding the ongoing pandemic and concerns of public health and safety prompted the cancellation of the 2021 Entertainment on the Plaza series.
“Public safety during the pandemic remains a top priority,” Woodrow said in an email Tuesday. “Remaining compliant with social distancing guidelines in a limited venue space and mask-wearing guidelines pose difficult challenges and potential health risks for attendees.”
Ongoing construction on State Road 9 and U.S. 40 also factored into the decision, she said. The Courthouse Plaza, where the concerts traditionally are held, is in the construction zone. Parking and navigating the area promised to be tricky for concertgoers.
Members of Fortville Action, Inc. — which promotes downtown merchants and puts on community events — also cited the pandemic as reason to cancel the town’s summer concert series this year, for the second year in a row.
Jen Sterrett, Fortville Action board member, hopes the series can return next year. The concerts are a great way to bring the community together, she said. About 300 to 500 people attend each one, while an estimated 4,000 have attended the concert series finale in the past.
Officials at New Palestine Main Street also draw sizable crowds with their live musical events, which they plan to still have this year after canceling due to the pandemic last summer.
The COVID restrictions in place at the time made it impossible to put on the events last year, said president Julie Lucas, but this year, events are scheduled to take place with safety in mind.
“We are very excited to have our summer concert series return, as well as Summer Fest,” she said. “We have had wonderful responses from vendors, musicians and the community that we are moving forward and offering our events again this year.”
Last year the New Palestine Main Street group had a few virtual concerts in lieu of in-person events, which Lucas said were well-received.
“However, nothing will ever replace being live and enjoying great musicians with friends and family,” she said.
New Palestine’s Music on Depot events will take place on the fourth Fridays in May, July, August and September.
The town’s Summer Fest celebration will be held June 25-26, featuring two musical acts on Friday night, followed by multiple acts throughout the day on Saturday leading up to the headliner, Stella Luna, playing up until the fireworks display at the end of the night.
The summer concert series is part of the New Palestine’s yearlong sesquicentennial celebration, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the town’s founding.
Live music is also on the calendar in Cumberland, which will play host to four Blues, Beer and BBQ events this year.
The annual summer events were also canceled last year due to the pandemic but are making a return with a full lineup of musical acts.
The town is also having live music at a new event this year, Cumberland Trails Day, to be held on June 5 in celebration of National Trails Day. The event will feature a run/walk in the morning followed by food trucks, games, music and safety demonstrations later in the day.
Julie Patterson, Cumberland’s communications and special events coordinator, said town officials will continue monitoring the latest COVID-19 developments and will keep in touch with the Hancock County Health Department for the latest public safety guidelines.
“That is what we go by. That is our barometer,” she said.
Patterson said she’s received positive feedback about the return of the town’s popular Blues, Brews and BBQ events, which draw upwards of 1,200 people.
“Based on response to our social media posts, our active Lions Park shelter rentals, crowds in our parks and people on our trails, it is obvious that our people are ready to be outside. I know I am,” she said.
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Live music will take place this summer in New Palestine and Cumberland, while officials in Greenfield and Fortville have opted to cancel scheduled concerts due to the pandemic this year.
Below is a list of bands, dates and times when live music will take the stage in Hancock County this summer:
CUMBERLAND
Cumberland Trails Day, celebrating National Trails Day
To be held June 5 in Lions Park, at 301 N. Buck Creek Road in Cumberland. Features a run/walk at 8 a.m. followed by live music, food trucks and games from 12-4 p.m.
Blues, Beer & BBQ events
Held from 6-10 p.m. the last Saturday of June through September, behind a business at 11623 E, Washington Street in Cumberland.
June 26 – Queen Delphine and the Crown Jewels and the Tad Robinson band
July 31 – Gordon Bonham and Harper and Midwest Kind
August 28 – King Bee and the Stingers and The Paul Nelson Band
September 25 – Gene Deer and Biscuit Miller
Info: town.cumberland.in.us or facebook.com/CumberlandIndiana
NEW PALESTINE
Concerts with a beer and wine garden hosted by New Palestine Main Street, from 6-9 p.m. Friday nights at The Depot, 11 E. Main St. in New Palestine.
May 21 – The Beepline
July 23 – Indy’s Island Party
Aug. 27 – Revery
Sept. 24 – Alan Kaye & the Toons
Info: facebook.com/NewPalestineMainStreet
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