Norristown's Summer Concert Series

When is the last time you saw live music? For free? If you can't answer that question, this blog is for you. Norristown has an AMAZING Summer Concert Series featuring live music from local bands and musicians. Did I mention the concert is FREE?

For those who know me know that I am really picky when it comes to which concert I want to go to, pay for, sit through, etc.. What makes me attend a concert is the music(obviously) and the experience. I'm not the one that will go to a concert and sit in the nose bleeds and barely see the artist other than on a jumbo-screen. I like the meet & greet experience, close proximity from the stage and a more relaxed setting. Which is why I chose the concerts at Elmwood Park.

Norristown's own Wildflower performed to a packed crowd last Sunday. Their sets were perfect for all ages. They played popular music from today's artists like Bruno Mars and Pharrell Williams as well as popular old school songs from Earth, Wind & Fire and Michael Jackson. 

Residents of all ages were in attendance, and stayed until the end! The energy from the crowd was great and I was satisfied with the amount of support from the community. Yesterday's weather was also perfect for an outdoor concert, I even rode my bike to the concert!

Next week's concert will be Mark Reno (Elvis Impersonator) beginning at 7pm. Each concert begins at 7 at the park with the exception of Music for Kids Sake at the end of the summer. Here is a list of the rest of the performance schedule:

• JUNE 14 MARK RENO ( ELVIS IMPERSONATOR ) 
• JUNE 21 SOFA KINGS 
• JUNE 28 BEACH BUMZ 
• JULY 4 12:00 - OLD SCHOOL 6:30 - ALLEN REYNOLDS BAND ( fireworks to follow) 
• JULY 13 SKITTY SHOW (A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING) 
• JULY 18 GOSPEL CONCERT 4PM 
• JULY 19 SOUTHERN EDGE 
• JULY 26 BRITISH INVASION (60'S BRITISH/ AMERICAN MUSIC) 
• AUG 2 FLOWER POWER 
• AUG 9 MARK RENO 
• AUG 16 WHERE’S PETE 
• AUG 22 THE ART OF WORSHIP FESTIVAL 2:00 
• AUG 23 SWEET LORETTA FAT (BEATLES) 
• AUG 30 VERDI BAND

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Changes to the Arts Hill Festival

Wychwood Music Festival

Yesterday, I attended the monthly council meeting after learning that the future of the Arts Hill Festival would be discussed as well as a couple other development opportunities. Elena and the Norristown Diary does a great job at dissecting council agendas and informing residents. You can read her post about the council meeting by clicking here.

I took notes for the portion that talked about transient food vendors (food trucks) and relocation of the Arts Hill Festival.

I would like to first state that no representative from the Arts Hill council was present to confirm these changes. The Times Herald posted this morning about Montco Idol finalist performing May 2nd at the Arts Hill Festival at the bandshell. However, the ordinance was brought to the agenda because the county wants food trucks for their workers more often and Arts Hill wanted trucks to be able to park along Harding Blvd. Instead of making exceptions to the current ordinance, they put in a motion to change the ordinance to ease the restrictions. It was unanimously passed. The biggest debate came when discussing free parking around the courthouse for food truck days. After much discussion, only food trucks will have a parking waiver.

For the county food truck days, they plan to hold them bi-weekly coordinating with the county's payday. The trucks would be stationed from Swede near 1 Montgomery Plaza to Main and on the county sidewalks. Norristown Business Association stated that "nearby businesses embrace this idea and are in the process of filling out applications to join these events." The new ordinance will allow for those businesses to set up tables and serve food outdoors of their businesses or near the courthouse.

The county will select 1-2 vendors per event. This number includes Norristown restaurants. A representative from the county stated that "there would be no preference selection to Norristown restaurants, however, we will include them in the process." The county has 1,400 employees and hundreds of daily visitors so I am assuming 1-2 trucks will quickly increase and it will be easier for Norristown businesses to win these permits.

Now on to the Arts Hill Festival which is suppose to happen in the 1st weekend in May. The only date confirmation I have seen this year is from the Montco Idol contest page. I will only speak on what I heard last night at the meeting. 

They said that the Arts Hill would be moved off the Arts Hill and to Elmwood Park. The festival would also change from an "arts" festival to music festival. The reason for the food truck changes are to accommodate the new festival and the vendors that would attend. I also heard rumors of making it more of an adult themed event by serving alcohol. once again, nothing is confirmed.

I have no doubt that the Arts Hill Festival will be successful at any location, but what are your thoughts? Do you think changing the Arts Hill festival to a music festival is a good idea?

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