The Tyrone-Snyder Public Library is ready to bring the community the fifth installment of the annual fundraisers that have become one of the most anticipated events in the community.
“Tonight’s the night,” grinned library concert chairman, Chuck Banas. “Four months of very hard work has all paid off for the library. We have smashed our previous attendance record as well as money raised. I am so very, very happy.”
“An Evening With The Drifters” takes over center stage tonight at the Tyrone Area High School auditorium. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with the show set to start promptly at 7 p.m. All tickets are reserved seating.
“As of press time today, we still have some tickets left. We will continue to sell them as long as they last,” Banas added.
Tickets will be at the area ticket outlets: Bressler’s Food Mart and Sports, Kopp Drug and the Tyrone-Snyder Public Library until noon today. After that anyone that has waited will have to get the tickets at the ticket window of the high school auditorium.
“On behalf of the library board of directors, I want to take a minute to thank all the area businesses for their tremendous showing this year. Our corporate sponsors have increased over previous years and it is just great that we are getting that sort of tremendous backing. We could never be nearly as successful if it were not for their committed effort,” said Banas.
Area businesses may also want to say “thank you” to the library. Banas said there are many individuals coming in from out of town. He said people came in last night and many are staying over in area hotels and bed and breakfast establishments the night of the show before returning to such places as Pittsburgh, Monroeville, Lancaster and Allentown.
“I have talked to several restaurants personally and I have been told that they received numerous reservations for dinner on mid-afternoon on Saturday from concert attendees. This is one way that I am happy to add that gives us a chance to give back to the merchants and companies who support our efforts,” Banas added. “This is just a great way of working together for the benefit of the whole. That is what small town America thrives on.”
Tonight’s concert will feature some real talent from both out of the area and locally.
“I am happy with the cooperation that I have received from our local people. We have a great deal of talent that is hidden right here in northern Blair County. You will get an opportunity to see some of this talent tonight. I can’t say enough about the folks at Dance Fusion and Cathy Young and the members of POPS Extension from the school,” said Banas. “These kids will always be able to plug into a resume that they were in an opening act for the world famous Charlie Thomas’ The Drifters. They can take that with them the rest of their lives.”
This year, there will be four acts that will open up the show. Tyrone’s Dance Fusion received the nod to open this year followed by Katie Olerich. Katie is a 14-year-old singing sensation. One of Katie’s numbers will find her joined by Tyrone’s own POPS Extension under the direction of Cathy Young, Fine Arts Chairperson from the Tyrone Area High School. Following Katie and Tyrone’s POPS Extension will be B. Elle. B. is a singer and a songwriter from Pittsburgh. B. has already had plenty of radio play airtime in her young career. Next up will be Brittany Ullrich. Brittany brings a beautiful voice to Tyrone and has also appeared on Saturday Night Live.
“I know we are going to have some surprises this year too,” added Banas. “I can’t tell you or they would not be surprises. One of them is, ‘Who is going to be the mystery co-host this year?’”
Only three people know the answer to that question and Banas is not budging an inch on giving any of the details.
“Easiest way to find out is get one of the remaining tickets to the show and see,” laughed Banas.
There will be a quilt raffle and giveaway to support the summer reading program during the intermission. The winner does not need to be present. There will also be a tea and spice gift basket donated by Tea Merchant 101 of Duncansville raffled off during the intermission. The winner of this will need to be present. There will be an additional surprise for some lucky person.
After the intermission, Charlie Thomas’ The Drifters will bring the evening to a memory-filled closure with their brilliant all-time hits and many, many more.
“At the conclusion of the show, we are going to have a meet and greet. Bring your cameras for pictures and get autographs from your favorite performers. Remember though we cannot allow any flash photography in the auditorium or recording devices. The performers will all be in the lobby of the auditorium to meet those in attendance. I know they are going to have some merchandise like CDs and so forth, so come prepared. Now it is up to you to sit back and enjoy our great fun-filled evening,” concluded an extremely pleased Banas.
