(Schenectady County, NY) The Schenectady County Legislature proudly announces Grammy Nominated 90’s band The Gin Blossoms will headline Schenectady County SummerNight 2016. This FREE summer family-friendly block party, presented by Rivers Casino & Resort, Times Union, and Saratoga Eagle, will be held on Friday July 15, from 5:00 pm until 10:00 pm in Downtown Schenectady (on State Street between Broadway and Barrett Street and on the Jay Street Pedestrian Mall) – right in the heart of the city’s revitalized and exciting downtown.
“Schenectady County is proud to once again bring excitement to Downtown with Schenectady County SummerNight,” said Cathy Gatta, Chair of the Legislature’s Committee on Tourism, Arts and Special Events. “Every year this event gets bigger and better, and this year will be no different with the Gin Blossoms headlining. Make sure to bring your family downtown and join with your neighbors for a fun-filled evening of music, food, and family friendly activities.”
This year’s celebration will feature live musical performances, games, and great food. The GE Main Stage on State Street will rock throughout the evening with the sounds of Schenectady County’s Battle of the Bands 2015 winner Moriah Formica along with local favorite and 2014 Battle of the Bands winner Stockade Kids. Closing out the show will Grammy nominated Gin Blossoms who will rock the crowd beginning at 8:30pm and closing with a special set for the grand finale Price Chopper & Market 32 fireworks that caps off the evening around 9:45pm. Additional musical performances by local musicians will occur on Jay Street and in the MVP Health Care Kids Corner.
“It really is amazing how much talent we have right here in the Capital Region,” said Legislator Gatta. “Schenectady County is proud to be able to bring all of these acts to Downtown and having a national act the Gin Blossoms headline our main stage will make this year’s SummerNight our biggest and greatest.”
The ever popular sand sculpture will again be created right before your eyes beginning at 10am. And what’s a summer celebration without a food eating contest? Villa Italia will be sponsoring the Second Annual “Schenectady County Celebrity” Cannoli Eating Contest.
Kid-friendly activities will occur in the MVP Health Care Kids Corner including activities with Schenectady YMCA, the Schenectady Boys & Girls Club, the Best Fitness “Be Your Best Fitness Challenge,” National Guard rock climbing wall, free face painting, and so much more!
Finally, a great summer party is not complete without great food, and Schenectady County SummerNight promises to deliver! Downtown restaurants and vendors will offer delicious food, drinks, and desserts for sale throughout the event. Downtown restaurants and shops are open for business, many bringing their operations outdoors so revelers will not miss a minute of Schenectady County SummerNight excitement.
Visit www.schenectadycounty.com for more information.
About the Gin Blossoms
Taking their name from a caption on a W.C. Fields photo, Gin Blossoms were formed in 1987 in Tempe, Arizona and signed a record deal in 1991 with A&M recorded their first EP “Up And Crumbling.” Their rise to fame began with their breakout record “New Miserable Experience” in 1992 which featured chart toppers “Hey Jealousy,” “Allison Road,” “Until I Fall Away,” “Mrs Rita,” and “Found Out About You.” Their success continued with the smash hit “Til I Hear It From You,” released as a Gin Blossoms single and on the platinum sound track for the film Empire Records. Two more hits followed; “Follow You Down” which spent ten weeks in the Top Ten and “As Long As It Matters” which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Performance by a Duo or Group.
In 1997, while at peak success and after numerous appearances on late night TV such as Letterman, Leno, Arsenio Hall, Saturday Night Live, The Grammy’s, and endless touring, the group disbanded and began a four year hiatus. It was not until a 2001 New Years Eve performance in Tempe that the members reformed and began touring and recording again. In 2005, former A&M president Al Cafaro resigned the band and partnered to record their 3rd full length album in over 10 years. “Major Lodge Victory” landed on Billboards 200 and was the #10 Indie album of the year. It included hits “Learning The Hard Way” and the appropriately titled “Long Time Gone.” Billboard magazine called this gem “an effortless triumph of melodic perfection.”
The bands fifth studio album, 2010’s “No Chocolate Cake”, landed them back on the singles chart again with “Miss Disarray” and the album shot straight to # 1 on Amazon, hitting Billboard’s top 200 at # 73 and the Indie chart at #14.