Fairgrounds will jam on Saturday with lineup of bands

File photo by Tom Rivers – The Moon Hunters will be one of eight bands performing Saturday in the OC Summer Jam at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds in Knowlesville. In this photo from February during Medina’s Wine About Winter event, Evan Anstey of Middleport, left, leads the Moon Hunters. He is joined by Dave Blumrick of Medina, center, and Zach Busch of Medina, right. Cort McKernan plays the drums.

KNOWLESVILLE – A week after Orleans County 4-H’ers celebrated their annual fair in Knowlesville, the fairgrounds will be busy again on Saturday, this time as a musical showcase.

The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce will have its first OC Summer Jam from 4 to 10 p.m. tomorrow. Eights bands will play, with the groups taking turns playing from two alternating stages.

“There’s nothing quite like it in this area,” said Sam Roskowski, the administrative assistant at the Chamber and event coordinator for the Summer Jam. “It’s a great way to get the bands together and give the people something to do.”

A $20 ticket gives access to each concert, plus a $5 voucher to one of the food trucks. Tickets drop to $12 after 7 p.m. but that doesn’t include a food voucher. Kids 12 and under are free to attend the concerts.

“The bands are super excited,” Roskowski said.

Each band will play for about 45 minutes. The following are scheduled to perform: Experimental Sandwich, The Moon Hunters, The Scarlet Carsons, The Capitals, Triple Play, The Lisa Zelazny Band, Terrible Ideas and Happy Ending.

Zach Busch, right, plays the guitar for The Moon Hunters.

The bands each have a strong following, Roskowski said. She is hopeful there will be a big crowd for the event. Concert-goers are asked to park on the west side of the fairgrounds.

In addition to the music and food, there will be the game, Can Jam, and a photo booth. The event will go on regardless if it rains.

The Chamber is doing is first music fest, and is in the second year of its Palettes of Orleans art project. Both projects differ from the traditional image of the Chamber, although Roskowski said the Chamber is committed to its “Main Street programs” as well.

“It doesn’t hurt to shake up the image,” she said about the Chamber. “We’re trying to keep things fresh.”

Tickets are available at the event or online at the Chamber’s website.