BPO to play under the stars at Chestnut Ridge Park

Erie County Parks Department, Chestnut Ridge Conservancy partner on free event

The Erie County Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry, in conjunction with the Chestnut Ridge Conservancy, has announced the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra will play a free outdoor concert at Chestnut Ridge Park at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 16.

The BPO will play on a bandstand located at the base of the sledding hill near the casino, with guests encouraged to bring folding chairs and blankets for comfortable viewing. Concertgoers are also encouraged to carpool and arrive early, as parking will be at a premium.

"Erie County parks staff will be working to ensure that Chestnut Ridge Park looks great for the concert, and also assisting with logistics during the event," said Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Forestry Daniel J. Rizzo. "It will be a great way to spend a summer evening, and we thank our partners at the Chestnut Ridge Conservancy and the Erie County Sheriff's Department for their assistance in presenting a free, fun, family musical event in a one-of-a-kind setting."

Security for the event will be provided by the sheriff's department with support from its Explorers Post 505 and the Cheektowaga Police Explorers Post 464, who will also assist with parking and post-event cleanup. The evening's wide-ranging musical program will commemorate the 50th anniversary of television favorites "Batman" and "Star Trek," along with the 40th anniversary of "Rocky", as well as remembering the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. The BPO also will provide a musical preview of the upcoming Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Chestnut Ridge Conservancy President Justine LeFauve said, "The cooperation between the Erie County Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry under Commissioner Daniel Rizzo, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Chestnut Ridge Conservancy is outstanding. We are all working together to promote the natural beauty of this county gem. There is no finer outdoor venue for a concert in the Southtowns."

In the event of rain, the concert will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 17, at Chestnut Ridge Park.

The full musical program can be found by visiting the conservancy's website. For more information on the Erie County Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry, visit http://www2.erie.gov/parks/.