Portland businesses, orchestra team to celebrate Fourth of July virtually
While Portland’s traditional musical celebration of Independence Day has been shelved this year because of the pandemic, event organizers are planning a virtual concert instead.
Portland-based Shamrock Sports & Entertainment said Tuesday it will hold the online event over the Fourth of July weekend to support two nonprofits fighting hunger in Maine, Good Shepherd Food Bank and Full Plates Full Potential.
Shamrock last year coordinated an Independence Day concert on the city’s Eastern Promenade, featuring the Portland Symphony Orchestra. The city funded a similar celebration in 2018, and a group of Maine businesses had sponsored other Fourth of July concerts since 2010.
This July, “SummerFest ME: Ending Hunger at Home” will let Mainers enjoy music by the PSO and other local and national artists. Fans will be able to stream the performances from a variety of media sources over a 24-hour period, July 3-4. In lieu of tickets, Shamrock is encouraging people to donate online to Good Shepherd and to Full Plates Full Potential.
“As our nation and our state adjusts to the reality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic and the continued need for social distancing, we wanted to do something that would bring joy to people while supporting a great cause,” said Shamrock CEO and founder Brian Corcoran.
PSO Executive Director Carolyn Nishon said, “We applaud all stakeholders who have adapted our previously scheduled live performance on the Eastern Prom to create this virtual performance that will enable PSO musicians to reach our community while supporting Good Shepherd Food Bank and Full Plates Full Potential.”
Bangor Savings Bank and WEX Inc. will team up with Shamrock and the PSO to present the virtual concert, and all proceeds will go to support the two hunger relief organizations.
Full Plates Full Potential is a statewide coalition of community leaders, stakeholders and advocates working to end child hunger in Maine, and Good Shepherd Food Bank, headquartered in Auburn, is Maine’s largest hunger-relief organization.
More information and the list of performances can be found at www.summerfestme.com.
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