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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!