2020 Summer Concert Series Cancellation Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
COVID-19 Pandemic Forces Cancellation of the AmeriServ Summer Concert Series at the Roxbury Bandshell
(JOHNSTOWN, Pa.) – The Roxbury Bandshell Preservation Alliance has made the difficult decision to cancel the AmeriServ-sponsored Summer Concert Series. The concerts have been a highlight of the summer for the past 10 years at the Roxbury Bandshell – every Sunday evening from 5-7pm beginning Memorial Day weekend and through mid-September.
“Even though our concerts are held outdoors, predictions are that the country will continue to practice social distancing for an unknown amount of time. For the safety of the performers, volunteers and audience, we believe it is necessary to cancel or to at least postpone the start date of the 2020 summer concerts,” said Mary Borkow, president of the Roxbury Bandshell Preservation Alliance.
“We’re committed to the communities we serve, and we believe strongly in supporting the local arts. But until the time that large gatherings of people are permitted, it’s important to follow the guidelines and abide by what the experts are suggesting we do,” Jeff Stopko, AmeriServ Financial, Inc. president and CEO, said.
Recently, several local festivals and annual events have been postponed or cancelled. “With the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, it’s difficult to plan larger-scale events in advance. There are many moving parts to our concerts that need to align to move forward and until we have clear guidance on resuming normalcy, we will just need to be patient. If the all-clear is given for larger events, perhaps the Bandshell can resume concerts in late summer,” added Borkow.
As more information becomes available, the Preservation Alliance will communicate to the public through its website and social media.
