I thought it’d be likely that new people will be visiting this site since today’s North section mentioned us, so I think it’s time for an update.
Welcome to EnjoyBellevue.com! If you scroll down, you’ll see previous posts–stories about local businesses and events that we’ve had. The purpose of this site is to provide information to merchants and citizens, both visiting and local. It’s published by a couple volunteer merchants thus far, and we hope to attract more contributors as time goes by. Our goal is to promote our fair town, and entice new customers and new businesses, as well as informing the current ones. We try to update fairly regularly, so please keep checking back often to see what’s new.
The tabs across the top include the Bellevue Farmer’s Market (our latest addition to town), Events, Directory, About, and Contact. Soon there will also be a tab about Alcohol in town, in which we hope to set up a forum so town members can discuss the pros and cons of allowing liquor licenses in Bellevue. For now, please browse through the tabs to see what we’ve got going on so far, and if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave a comment on this post, or see the Contact tab for more options.
The first concerts in Bayne Park were held in the summer of 2002. Jim Scisiciani, who was then the Chairman of Bellevue Council’s Parks and Recreation Committee, contacted the Pittsburgh Musician’s Union about starting concerts in the park. He found out about the Musician’s Performance Trust Fund, which is a national program that was created in 1948 to support musical performances by supplementing the cost to local municipalities and nonprofit organizations. The purpose of the Trust Funds is to promote live music and to provide music where music is the prime purpose for public attendance.
The first series in 2002 featured Carnegie Brass, Val Clark and Escapade, and Danny Kurzawski and the Continental Dukes. Crowds were small at the beginning but word quickly spread about the concerts being held on the library’s front porch. Soon people were arriving an hour early to watch the band set up and get a prime spot underneath the cooling branches of the oaks and maples. Attendees were bringing dinner from local restaurants and sharing snacks on the lawn.
Comcast Cable graciously helped with the cost in the summer of 2005. The borough budget was cut in 2007 as the cost for the concerts increased. West Penn Allegheny Health System saved the day, stepping in to sponsor the concerts (and the great banner that hangs across Lincoln Avenue) for 2007 and 2008. The amount of concerts has grown to seven concerts this summer, with two local performers offering to perform free as part of the series. The status of a possible seventh concert is pending and will be announced later this summer.
The Friends of Bayne Library began offering free popcorn and lemonade at select concerts last summer. This has been a great crowd pleaser and will continue this year. We have been approached by several groups about selling food and other items during the concerts. Unfortunately, the agreement with the Musicians Performance Trust prohibits fund-raising activities on-site during the performance. However, we always encourage people to grab their dinner and snack on Lincoln Avenue and bring it to the park. So come out and enjoy your Bellevue at Bayne Park!