Blue Thursdays finally kicks off concert series with big crowd in Medina

Photos by Natalie Baron: From left include Pat Harrington, Owen Eichensehr, special guest Hayden Fogle and Paul L. Yates. Harrington expressed gratitude to the audience for their attendance during an evening with an air quality alert.

By Natalie Baron, correspondent

MEDINA – Blue Thursdays kicked off its first concert at State Street Park on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. following three cancellations in the weeks before.

The Pat Harrington Trio, which plays around WNY, was joined by award-winning guitarist Hayden Fogle. Along with performing in The Pat Harrington Trio and the Pat & Own Duo, Harrington tours both nationally and internationally and is the lead guitarist for the award-winning band Victor Wainwright & The Train. Special guest Fogle is the grand prize victor in the 2018 Lee Ritenour/Yamaha Music International Guitar Contest for the Blues Category against contestants from 50 countries.

Hayden Fogle feels the groove. Paul L. Yates is all smiles.

The audience braved the hazy, campfire-like weather for an evening filled with music. This follows cancellations due to other unfortunate weather that would have featured the bands the Dave Viterna Group, the Growlers Blues Band, and Miller and the Other Sinners.

Blue Thursdays usually brings by 600-800 people per concert. The turnout was excellent considering the weather. This is a testament to the joy these concerts bring the community.

Blue Thursdays run from 6 to 8 p.m. and are free of charge. As always, there were many food and beverage vendors at the concert, and there was even a vendor selling crocheted goods. The concerts are organized by The Print Shop and Orleans Renaissance Group, showing off blues talents from the Rochester and Buffalo regions. The sound that evening was done by Curly Pfalzer of Pro Sound and Lighting.

The music combined with the bounce house and the playground made this a great evening out for families.

Other performances from the Pat Harrington Trio, The Pat & Own Duo, or additional groups featuring Harrington include July 18 at Heron Hill Winery at 3 p.m., July 19 at 42 North Brewing Company at 4 p.m., and August 14 at Top of the Bay Tex Mex Bar and Bistro at 6 p.m.

Blue Thursdays will continue on July 23 with the Eric Weinholtz Band and wrap on August 6 with Grosh. There are no rain dates.