The annual We love Erie Days, also coined as Celebrate Erie 2017, are upon us again!
This time of year is bittersweet because it marks the end of Pennsylvania Summer and the onset of the Fall school year for children.
A lot of money, planning and man hours comes to fruition on this annual, memorable weekend. If you ever find yourself in Erie, Pennsylvania in middle August, plan to stop down to enjoy the free art, music and festival food and drink.
There are a large number of good local bands and performances in addition to the big ticket bands. All events, including these concerts, are free!
Up and down the street, and in Perry Square Park, tempting food stands and vendors hawk clothes and gift items to vy for your hard earned cash. Children with Batman face paint and butterflies walk by clutching tightly to their parent's hand in the milling crowd. The Erie Art Museum hosts a tent with child friendly crafts, face painting, fun events and kiddie rides are in the park to amuse the children, for a price.
I work in downtown Erie, right in the thick of the action from set up to tear down. Wednesday, roadblocks were set up from 7th and State Street down to 2nd and State Street, right in the heart of downtown Erie.
Because traffic is diverted, the road is safe to wander up and down to enjoy all of the events, music, people and vendors. The event includes open bottles on the street, so pick up a brew of choice, fresh squeezed lemonade or soda to sip as you go. I snagged fresh cut french fries with vinegar and walked downtown to see Blue Oyster Cult for a bit. A sizable crowd watched there and many came prepared with folding camp chairs.
Thursday, tents went up providing some relief from the beating sun and the streets between 7th Street and 8th Street. State Street, again, is the annual Chalk Walk, consisting of a city block long series of street art murals.
This year's Chalk Walk sponsor is Northwest Savings Bank. I have been watching and enjoying this event for many years As long as I can remember, there has been a Celebrate Erie Weekend. One year I assisted on the rock climbing wall.
Some of the big band tickets in 2017 are Blue Oyster Cult, Three Doors Down (playing tonight) Big and Rich (performing down town on Sunday, at the main stage). There are three separate stages designated every year to accommodate all performances, each with hourly performances.
Band Listings for Celebrate Erie 2017
On my work break yesterday, I walked down State Street and admired the Chalk Walk in process. These dedicated artists from local businesses such as PNC Bank, Allegheny Health Network, and Northwest Savings Bank as well as the Erie Art Museum, Mercyhurst College and many others sat on the street crafting their colorful murals on hot concrete. I was able to capture a few photos and speak words of encouragement to their designers.
In progress
Completed
Such loveliness
More impressive When Complete
I'm
During lunch, I was able to capture videos of the Extreme Pogo Stick Exhibition I happened upon. I hope you to enjoy. I was impressed by their skills
In addition to big ticket stars, many local bands are playing hourly during the day and throughout the evenings. At 6:00 PM I walked several blocks from work to Perry Square to watch my cousin Katherine's boyfriend, Charlie, playing electronic keyboard and singing with the Eric Brewer and Friends Band. There was a lot of impressive guitar riffs and keyboard artistry, great drum playing and an awesome jazzy fee drawing a crowd.
Here is a sample of their style. My phone battery died or it would be live.
I'm a little depressed that I'm not at the Three Doors Down concert beginning at 9:00 PM. I received an invitation from a girlfriend to go, but I wrapped my sprained ankle and regretfully declined the invitation.
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this article.
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