ORANGE — The Orange Community Band has had many different names since the 1850s, but it’s always provided free concerts to residents.
Friday, at 7:30 p.m., the band will play the first of six concerts this summer at Butterfield Park on East River Street. Stephanie Parker is returning for her 14th year to conduct the band, which has around 40 members of all ages.
The free concert, sponsored by Ames Trophy in Orange, will include a concession stand, manned by the Salvation Army, which will use all proceeds to pay for summer camp for local children. Dean’s Beans will offer coffee, hot dogs, popcorn and drinks.
The rest of the summer concerts will be June 29, sponsored by TJ Sweeney and Associates Smoking Cessation and the Blackmer family; a patriotic concert on July 6, sponsored by Orange American Legion Post 172; Children’s Night July 13, sponsored by the Lyman and Kilhart families; July 20 in memory of Nursie and Freeland Perkins and the final concert will be July 27, sponsored by Witty’s Funeral Home.
The concerts are all free and continue a tradition started in the 1850s.