America celebrates 40 years on the road at Artpark

In what has become an annual highlight of summer in Lewiston - America returns to Artpark for the June 29 "First Niagara presents Tuesday in the Park" free concert with the folk-rock band's 40th Anniversary Tour. The concert kicks off with the Niagara Falls Air Base special opening ceremony that will include a fly over of the Base's C-130 aircraft at 6:15 p.m.

America's Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell have a remarkable recording career spanning 40 years and 17 gold, platinum and multi-platinum albums. Their popularity was launched in 1972 when "A Horse with No Name" helped earn America the Grammy Award for "Best New Artist."  The band's signature sound is known for blending up-tempo elements of rock with pop and folk, as reflected in America's best-known tunes including, "Ventura Highway," "I Need You," "Tin Man," "Lonely People" and "Sister Golden Hair."

The America concert features opening act Stacy Clark, who will follow the Air Base opening ceremony.

Artpark's free concert events always feature a wide variety of free family-friendly hands-on art workshops, including drawing, face painting, dress-up, self portraits and plenty of creative fun events beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Artpark is pleased to partner with the Niagara Falls Air Base in an annual "Community Awareness Initiative Event" as the Air Base extends its thanks to the Western New York community for continued support of the Air Reserve Station.  Families are encouraged to arrive at Artpark's outdoor amphitheater early for the 6:15 p.m. opening event ceremony, which will include the Air Base Honor Guard, singing of the National Anthem, salute to the base Guard and Reserve, and a special fly over of the base C-130 aircraft in a special kick off to the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The U.S. Air Force Reserve Recruiting will be at the concert with a special display for the public.

Artpark's Outdoor Amphitheater opens to the public at 4 p.m. on event nights, and can be accessed via the upper park's Portage Road entrance off of Center Street or through South Fourth Street nearest the Mainstage Theater. Carry-ins (food and beverages) are prohibited at all of Artpark's free concert events while on-site parking is available (New York state parking fee is $10).

For more on Artpark events, visit www.wnypapers.com. For a full schedule of events, call the Artpark Box Office at 754-4375 or visit www.artpark.net.