Medina celebrates 250th of USA with patriotic concert

Photos by Tom Rivers: Jim Steele, director of the Medina Reunion Jazz Band, speaks with a crowd of about 250 people on Sunday at State Street Park. Steele, a retired Medina band teacher, dedicated the final song of “God Bless the USA” to long-time Medina Band volunteer, John Ryan, who served about 40 years as a color guard and winter guard instructor. He passed away at age 85 on Aug. 17.

MEDINA – A crowd estimated at nearly 250 people attended a concert at State Street Park on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary.

Sponsored by the Medina Tourism Committee, the event featured patriotic and jazz music by the Medina Reunion Jazz Band, led by retired band director Jim Steele and made up by former band students, alumni, staff members of Medina High School and others; puppetry and magic by former television personality Mike Randall; and a reading of the Declaration of Independence by Randall.

Medina music teacher Rachel Trillizio sings “God Bless the USA” during Sunday’s concert.

Medina High School music teacher Rachel Trillizio sang several songs with the band. This is first time the jazz band has had a singer, Steele said. He also recognized soloist Ric Jones of Medina and Bil Tiberio, a man with 44 years at Fairport who Steele said is so talented he finds goodness in anyone who plays an instrument.

Medina Tourism Committee chair Jim Hancock opened the program with a welcome and thanked all who made it possible. This included Sons of the American Legion, who donated money for 250 cupcakes and little flags which were handed out; Hans’s Bakery, which made the cupcakes; and Randall for his patriotic reading and for entertaining with puppets.

“For those who haven’t heard the Declaration of Independence in full, it is an amazing document,” Hancock said. “Mike’s reading was beautiful and very moving.”

Mike Randall brought along some puppet friends and entertained the crowd with their antics.

Hancock also announced Medina was preparing a time capsule, which will be buried in October in Rotary Park, and not to be opened for 50 years. People were encouraged to come up to the tourism tent and add their suggestion to a list of what to put in the capsule.

The crowd also enjoyed pizza and beverages from Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza, who was set up in the park with a food truck. Hazel and Honey also served baked goods and lemonade.

These cupcakes with red, white and blue frosted were available to the crowd, courtesy of the Sons of the American Legion.

The afternoon concluded with a salute from the American Legion and VFW Honor Guard, which Hancock said was a beautiful ending to Medina’s celebration of the nation’s Birthday Party in the Park.

In addition to Hancock, members of the Medina Tourism Committee are Jan Smith, Barb Gorham, Kelly Kiebala, Ann Fisher-Bale, Kathy Blackburn, Dawn Borchet and Debbie Padoleski.

Photos by Ginny Kropf at left: Mike Randall recited the Declaration of Independence to the crowd. Photo courtesy of Barb Gorham at right: Hans Rosentreter  from Hans’s Bakery stands with 250 cupcakes he made for Medina’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of our country.

The Bennett and Green families watch as Mike Randall performs a magic rope trick for the children.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Jim Hancock, chairman of the Tourism Committee, thanks the band for their performance and then prompted the crowd to sing  “God Bless America” near the end of the concert.

The Honor Guard, with members from the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, fired a gun salute and with echo taps.