Allen Park concert series returning in West Scranton for second year

A free community concert series at Allen Park in West Scranton returns Friday and continues on a biweekly basis through Aug. 23, the nonprofit NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania announced.

Now in its second year, the outdoor concert series offers a diverse mix of musical performances by local artists. It's part of NeighborWorks' broader mission of revitalizing neighborhoods and particularly West Side, the focus of the agency's 10-year West Scranton Neighborhood Plan. The revitalization blueprint "highlights a desire for free family-friendly community activities," West Scranton Neighborhood Coordinator Miranda Pace said in a news release.

The nonprofit is partnering this year with the local arts and entertainment outlet NEPA Scene to put on the shows at Allen Park, located at Price Street and North Main Avenue, with NEPA Scene coordinating the acts and assisting with event promotion. Each rain-or-shine concert runs from 6-8 p.m., starting Friday with the alternative rock duo Running in Flip-Flops.

Subsequent shows include: June 28, Tori V & The Karma; July 12, The Contact Collective; July 26, Brendan Brisk Band; Aug. 9, The Holtzmann Effect Trio; and Aug. 23, Meet Me on Marcie.

"NEPA Scene works hard to feature local artists of all kinds, so we made sure to include a variety of bands who could share both original songs and covers that anyone can enjoy," NEPA Scene founder and editor Rich Howells said in the release. "I am a West Sider born and raised, so it feels great to give back to the community I’m from with free, all-ages shows with musicians from across Northeastern Pennsylvania that I believe everyone needs to hear. NEPA Scene also started right here in West Side nearly 10 years ago, so it’s all coming full circle."

Concert attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets. Food and drinks can be purchased from a number of nearby small businesses.

For information contact Pace at 570-558-2490 or [email protected].