Wander Ellwood kicks off with band 288
ELLWOOD CITY – Wander Ellwood is all about music, food, beverages and great times. Beginning Wednesday it is back, bigger and better than last year.
From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, it is Ellwood's Open Street Night on Lawrence Avenue.
Ryan McCandless, director of the Ellwood City Chamber of Commerce, said last year's Wander Ellwood was an overwhelming success with businesses open, vendors and crowds of people downtown.
There will be at least 60 vendors of all kinds including food trucks, breweries and wineries and the open container ban is lifted.
There will be crafts and art vendors, nonprofit organizations, clothing and jewelry, professional services, candles and accessories and swag bag giveaways and a whole lot more. McCandless said vendors are also coming from New Castle.
The musical group 288 is kicking off both Wander Ellwood and the Summer Concert Series in the Plaza.
Spokesman for the group Dave Huber describes their music as acoustic rock and said they play a wide variety of music from the 1960s to the present including Tom Petty and The Eagles.
The three-piece band with Huber on bass guitar and vocals, Aaron Hinkle on guitar and Adam Custozzo on the drums are regulars at holiday events at Shakespeare's and other local venues.
Formed in 2004 they named their group 288 because they all grew up off Route 288 in Lawrence County.
After graduating from Riverside High School in 2004, the three entered Penn State University and graduated in 2010-11.
"We've been playing together for 19 years but we don't play as often as we used to. Life, marriage and children have all happened and we need time with our families," Huber said.
The group is excited to be part of the Summer Concert series for the first time.
"The best part of making music is seeing people enjoy it. Seeing them smiling, nodding their heads and dancing. Just knowing they are enjoying it is why we do it," Huber said.
McCandless said the chamber makes the arrangements for the event by working with the Ellwood City Community Enrichment, Ellwood City Borough and Ellwood City Revitalization.
"It is the ideal situation with the businesses, civic organizations and nonprofits working together for the town. It has created a great team and nice bond," McCandless said.
Wander Ellwood
Entertainment is 5 to 8 p.m.
June 7 - The Band '288'
June 21 - Wine & Spirit
July 19 - RMS Trio
Aug. 2 - The Chadd: wandering Bryan Crable Bagpiper
Aug. 16 - Tony Barge & the Honky Tonk Heroes
Sept. 6 - The Wait
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Wander Ellwood brings Wednesday entertainment to borough
