[VIDEO] Summer's End 2012
Snippets of the action in video and pictures from the August 31, 2012, Summer's End festival.
All went off just as planned ... with perfect weather, lots of local talent, the U.S. Navy Northeast Pops Ensemble, and fabulous fireworks!
The evening began with the EGHS Jazz Band, three whole days after school started, sounding really strong. The Headliners – guitar duo Bill Wray and Jamie Millard – followed with an enjoyable set.
Then the Hurricanes struck. The trio of Dana Wronski and Stephen and Carol Reale, hit all the right notes in their acappella performance.
Afterwards, children then veterans paraded and the main event got under way: the Navy Band Northeast Pops Ensemble and guest vocalist Mary Pat Denci. The music that followed was terrific, with great singing from Mary Pat and the Navy's Joel Davidson.
The highlight of the show for many was the fireworks display at the end. For more than 10 minutes, the crowd oohed and awed.
Congratulations, Summer's End. It was a terrific evening.
And thanks.
Check out all the photos ... maybe you're in one of them!
Carl I. Hoyer
7:49 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
I've been a sponsor and attendee for as long as Summer's End has been in existence,happily and willingly so, always enjoying the fine presentations provided.
Last Friday was no exception, with Northeast Navy Band doing a splendid job,with excellent weather and a fireworks finale that was exceptional.
The one concern I had (and have had) are the apparently unattended young children who persist in showing off doing cartwheels and somersaults in the grassy area directly in front of the bandstand while the show is going on. Last Friday, there were 10 young girls who just wouldn't give up ! If I were a musician, I think it might be disconcerting to my performance. Also, I believe it to be inconsiderate and almost disrespectful to those who came to hear the music, not to watch potentially future Olympians.
I'm told, on good authority, that some parents drop off their kids and then pick them up at the end of the event. As a parent, given the childnapping that occurs, I would be concerned about that as well.
CAPT Russ Knight USN (now retired) did a great job as president of SAFO with the event being a tribute to his 30 years of service in the Navy. Russ, Well Done, Bravo Zulu, God Bless and best wishes for your future as a civilian !
'nuff said !
KK
11:10 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
I agree with Carl Hoyer on this completely. I think it was disrepectful to the performers and to the people who were forced to watch them. Of course, it was not the fault of the young girls. They thought everyone was enjoying their performance. The parents of the young girls should have known better. I couldn't believe that those perfromers on stage who were trying to put all of their concentration into their performance had to have that distraction right in front of their faces.
The noise level of the wandering groups of "teeny boppers" and small children was at times deafening, I am sure to the unfortunate people who were sitting on the perimeter of the audience.
Those children were not there to enjoy the music. I think it is all an accident waiting to happen. I love the concept of Summers End. The music, the friends, the families, etc. is wonderful. It is time to get the children under control.
Julie Powell
8:12 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
My husband and I attended Summer's End and had a wonderful time! The music was great and the fireworks fantastic. I'm hoping the fireworks display becomes a permanent part of the show; they were icing on the cake. :-) I noticed the young gymnasts as well and had the same thoughts as Carl. Perhaps designating a play area in the rear of the field would help.
Cheri Moss
9:08 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
THANK YOU to all who came to support EGHS Athletics and The Avengers Booster Club (goavengers.org) by visiting our concession booth during Summer's End! Our membership drive is on! Visit us at goavengers.org to join and get the latest info on everything athletics at EGHS! Thank you volunteer bakers who provided yummy treats! Thank you sponsors, Poland Spring and Subway, parent volunteers who worked the booth, and the students who helped with set-up and clean-up! Go Avengers!
N. Schwab
9:11 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
Summer's End!!! WOW WOW WOW!!! What an incredible night for our town! I was surprised at the fireworks display...absolutely amazing!
We attend the Northest Navy Band concert each year in Newport - in the past when they played on the water's edge, children are permitted AND encouraged to dance in front of the stage to the delight of all watching - band included! So instead of setting up the field like a concert hall...why not set up a "dance" area for children and adults - maybe at the side of the stage. Let's face it....how can you just sit and listen to music like that without wanting to get up and dance??? I was dancing myself on "third base" but would have loved to be closer to the band.
This is not a concert hall event but a family night for our town...so let's embrace that and have a place that children can be apart of the celebration AND the incredible music. We could learn from those kids and get up off our chairs and dance along with them instead of wanting to squash their energy and enthusiasm and have them not be apart what is (and should be) an amazing "FAMILY" night...(kid's included....) p.s. and let me say I do not have small children...but being on the side of 60...I love nothing more than watching their energy of which I wish I had more of....
Kristin Wheeler
10:42 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
Looks like an amazing event! This was the first year in four years we missed it. Sorry we did now as this looks like the best yet! Thanks for this awesome video Elizabeth! It makes me get a great sense of what the night was about. The fireworks looked fantastic!
gladys_kravitz
11:43 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
If children cannot be children, then families will not go to this event and the event will not happen. I love seeing the kids playing, they all love Summers End and they all enjoy being with their friends, running around at night in a safe environment and will have these memories forever. Making them sit quietly to listen to music that is, frankly, a bit stiff to them, is not what they call enjoyable. Relax and let everyone enjoy the show.
Kudos to all the performers and to Russ Knight who pulled off a great evening for EG.
N. Schwab
12:09 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
I totally agree with you Gladys....If you want a quiet, concert setting - subscribe to the Philharmonic and enjoy the performances in a concert hall - there are few of us (even in EG) who can afford to take our children to such events...let them be kids and make Summer's End part of their great summer memories....
Anna M.
9:01 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
A lot to be said for a person who lived next door to Denise the Menace. The lovely group of children ages ? through teens grows from crowd to MOB and I am very aware that the parents of smaller children need to shelter them from the older "punks" who enjoy bullying and using the younger ones for the target of their sadistic humor. It is not a safe environment. Pay attention to the area near the swings next year once dusk hits. Even the police don't monitor the older kids.
Patch reader
10:44 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Does anyone have any concerns about the cemetary being used for the fireworks launching ground? I think this was a complete lack of repect for those at rest there and their families.
Katie
10:51 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
For me, when I am dead, you can shoot all the fireworks over me that you want to.