Summer’s End is about as good a way as possible to celebrate what for many of us is not the best news in the world. Summer ending?!? Please, no!

But end it must.

Thankfully, we have the annual Summer’s End concert – on Friday, Aug. 29, at Eldredge Field – to help ease the pain. For the third year in a row, the Navy Northeast Orchestra (the Navy Band to many of us) will headline the event. 

“We’re really excited about having the Navy Band back again,” said Tom Sprague, Summer’s End board president. As usual, there will be local groups selling different foods and drinks, and the field will become a patchwork quilt of picnickers and music lovers. 

The entertainment will start with the top-notch EGHS Jazz Ensemble, followed by EG favorite Phoebe Madden, who will be performing with Michael DiNucci this year.

In keeping with tradition, there’s no charge for the concert but donation buckets will be at every entrance and Sprague hopes everyone will contribute something. 

“Without people’s support, there would be no Summer’s End,” he said, noting that you don’t have to wait until showtime to give to Summer’s End – you can send a check today: Summer’s End, P.O. Box 1614, E.G., RI 02818.

Remarkably, this will be Summer’s End’s 19th year. It remains close to its local, all-volunteer roots but Sprague said they are in need of some fresh energy on the board, especially with the 20th anniversary coming up next year. While the Town of East Greenwich gives $5,000 and town employees help out, this is NOT a town event. So it depends on both volunteers and donations.

If you are interested in learning more, contact Sprague at [email protected].