The music plays on at Shepard Park after fire
LAKE GEROGE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -The Lake George Summer Concert Series is coming back Tuesday night after a fire destroyed the Shepard Park Bandstand on Sunday morning. The charred husk of the amphitheater was removed Sunday afternoon and only its foundation remains.
Musicians told NEWS10's Anthony Krolikowski the loss is devastating. "I cried. It really hit home because I've come here all my life swimming on the beach and then my husband's band," said Susan "Susie Q" Dick.
For Tribute Tuesdays and the rest of the concert series to return, one promoter donated a tent to the Village. "The generator is ready to go. There is an electrician trying to get in to set up and he thinks he can get it set up for power. It's just getting National Grid to come in and turn it on. That's probably going to be the hardest part," explained John Myers, Owner of Entertainment One.
Mayor Ray Perry says they will eventually bring in a mobile bandstand to replace the tent. A Friends of Shepard Park fund is being set up to pay for its construction along with applying for grants.
He sees the free concert series as essential to tourism. "All the restaurants and bars and stores that benefit from these shows: occupancy tax, sales tax; it's a never-ending cycle," stated Perry.
Artists and musicians are welcome to give input on the design. "To me, the most important part of the structure was what wasn't there; there was a clear view to the lake. You'll be able to see the lake through the stage and that's one of the things that makes it so special," described Matt Donnelly, Keyboard Player of The Broken Hearted.