CelebrateErie but you can still catch a number of events and entertainment in downtown Erie including a grand finale fireworks Sunday night at 9:30. Erie blogger KC has a review of some of the food you can find at the celebration.
MTR Gaming Group which owns Presque Isle Downs & Casino is experiencing a money crunch. Apparently not enough people are gambling thesde days. MTR must increase its earnings by 60 percent in order not to violate existing credit (loan) agreements with lenders. Also not so good for MTR is that Standard and Poor’s lowered its credit rating from a “B+” to a “B-”. Despite the slump, every report we’ve seen has identified the Erie gambling location as a bright-spot on MTR’s balance sheet. It appears Erie citizens are doing their part to keep the company above water.
The Meadville Tribune has a report of an ATV heist gone wrong. The tale involves a shootout and suicide, and still leaves a number of questions unanswered. It’s almost surreal.
The last of the “Buggin State” nights will be this Friday, August 22nd. The event will be held along State Street between 4th and 12th streets along State. Car clubs and individual car owners in the Erie area have a chance to showcase their classic, custom and tricked-out vehicles. There will be live music at Perry Square by the band Endless Summer.
The annual Zabawa Polish Festival will be August 22-24 at the Holy Trinity Parish Grounds. The festival will include Polish music, dancing, and traditional Polish meals (galumpki and pirogies anyone?). For more information call (814) 456-0671.
The 12th Annual Erie German Heritage Festival will be held August 30-31 at the Shriner’s Club Grounds. Don’t worry about eating too much wienersnitzels and sauerkraut since there will be ton of music and dancing going on. For more information visit the official website.
The SeaWolves handily beat the Connecticut Defenders 8-2 last night at the Jerry Uht Park. Erie will go for a sweep with tomorrows game at 1. The ‘Wolves begin their last away series next Tuesday, returning the week after for their final home game series for the season. Take the opportunity to catch a game if you haven’t already this summer.
Don’t forget Erie Blogs Week II begins Monday at the Community Blood Bank. One person who signs in on the special Erie Blogs Week list will be picked and they will win an iPhone 3G. Mike’s a huge fan of his new iPhone 3G – but you don’t have to wait in line three hours for yours like he did.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Only two more 8 Great Tuesdays concert series performances are left for the summer. Next Tuesday, August 19th, will feature Erie’s own Dave Stevens Big Band from 6:30 – 9:30 at the Liberty Park, Pepsi Amphitheater. The event is free and shuttles to the park will be provided.
Asbury Woods along with photographer Jim Kubaney will introduce students to digital photography and learning how to photograph nature (bring your own digital camera). Class will be held August 19. For more information call (814) 835-5356.
The Erie Block Party, held most Thursday evenings during the summer, will not be held next Thursday, August 14 due to CelebrateErie. The next upcoming block party will be August 21 at Matthew’s Trattoria & Martini Lounge with performers Duke Sherman Band & Sam Hyman.
Judge Michael E. Dunlavey will be the guest speaker at the Eriez Toastmasters Club’s 50th Anniversary dinner celebrating the importance of leadership and speaking skills in achieving career and personal success. The dinner will take place at the Siebenbuerger Club on Aug 28th and tickets are $15. Interested parties must RSVP by Aug 21. More information here [PDF].
The 20-piece Gem City Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Scott Tomlison, will be offering two outdoor performances. The first will be held on Friday evening, August 22, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Shops at the Colony (formerly the Colony Plaza) on West 8th Street. The second performance will be the City of Erie’s final “Sounds of Summer” Concert on Monday, August 25th from 7 to 8 p.m. at Schmidt Towers – 153 E. 6th Street. Both concerts are open to the public and free of charge. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy the shows.
Every Friday at 8 p.m., now until September 26 (exception: September 5th) the Erie County Historical Society will hold a Ghosts and Legends Tour. Discover the mysteries of downtown Erie through a 1 1/2 hour walking tour. Since size of group tour is limited, reservations required; call (814) 454-1813, ext 0. Cost: $8 Adult, $4 Child.
The Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park (LEAF) last remaining family friendly movie of the season will be held next Friday, August 22. LEAF’s mission is to expand the Arboretum at Frontier Park, as well as provided related recreational and educational programs for the community.
The Erie Art Museum opens Art from the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber National Institute in the Erie Art Museum’s Annex Gallery, 423 State Street, now through October 4. A public opening reception is scheduled for Gallery Night on Friday, Aug. 22, 2008 from 6-10 p.m.
The North East National Rib Festival, sponsored by Fuller Hose Company, will be held August 24-26. For more information contact Fuller Hose at (814) 725-3308.
The nineteenth annual Silberman Recital Series at Allegheny College will feature performances by one of the country’s newest chamber music groups as well as musicians who have earned critical acclaim over decades of work on the concert stage and in the recording studio. The series will open with Manhattan Piano Trio on Monday, Sept. 8.
Erie to host young professionals from across the state at Pennsylvania Young Professionals 2008 ImPAct Conference ERIE, PA — Young professionals, business executives and civic leaders from across the state are invited to take part the Pennsylvania Young Professionals 2008 ImPAct Conference, being held Sept. 12-14 at Erie’s Bayfront Convention Center, 1 Sassafras Pier. This marks the first year the ImPAct Conference (Innovative Minds Creating Pennsylvania’s Tomorrow) will be held in northwestern Pennsylvania.
Eerie Horror Film Festival is partnering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to sponsor the “Monster Wish” charity walk & fun run at Presque Isle on September 13th. The walk/run sign in will be at beach one at 10:00 a.m., and the Mayor will be present to impart a few words of inspiration to the participants before the walk starts. 100% of the proceeds will go directly to the Foundation. Please contact Melissa Bostaph at (814) 899-0407 for more information.
Steelers fans should be excited to read this. A celebrity pro party will be held by sports artist Kevin-John along with former Pittsburgh Steelers players on September 14th, 2008 at the Brewerie in downtown Erie. The Steelers versus the Browns will be the game of the week and televised at the party with the red carpet walk beginning at 6 p.m. The Hollywood style celebrity party is a fund raiser for the Willie Williams Show Them We Care Foundation for children’s education. Tickets begin at $35. For more information visit the official website.
The Erie based non-profit Gem City Concert Band is seeking new members for the Fall 2008 season. The 50 member concert band is under the direction of Scott Tomlison and plays a variety of music styles such as old overtures, show tunes, traditional concert band pieces, movie scores, and marches. Rehearsals are held Tuesday evenings from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. with Fall ’08 rehearsals beginning September 9th. All instruments are welcomed. Membership is free and interested musicians should call 814-899-8467, email, or visit the official website.
Erie non-profit group Therapy Dogs United, Inc., in conjunction with the American Kennel Club, will host the area’s only Responsible Dog Ownership Day at Frontier Park (north side) Saturday, September 20th, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, rain or shine. Event highlights include a Blessing of the Dogs, Parade of Breeds, agility demonstrations, special appearance by search and rescue dogs, K9 police units, and therapy dogs. Other activities include Canine CPR, Pet First Aid, dog rescue groups, animal safety demonstrations, live acoustic music, contests, prizes, chinese auciton, animal-related vendors.
The State Library of Pennsylvania will celebrate its second annual Genealogy Day on Saturday,
Sept. 20. This free event will have exhibits and information sessions on various subject areas. For additional information, please contact Marc Bender at (717) 705-6272.
The Wine Country Harvest Festival, hosted by the North East Chamber of Commerce, will be held September 28-30. Expect a variety of music, food, arts & crafts, champagne breakfast, Cruise In, Children’s Area, winery tours, wagon rides, wine and food seminars, wine by the glass, and souvenirs. There will be 5 wineries in the wine tent this year, serving more than 40 varieties of wine, along with free shuttle service to the wineries and to other attractions in town.
