Write a commentThe Annual Concert and Fireworks at Mexico Point State Park will be on Sunday, July 23rd, beginning at 4:30PM.
The introduction will be by the President of Friends of Mexico Point Park, Diane Chepko-Sade, followed by the Star Spangled Banner sung by Emalee Herrington.
The entertainment line-up is as follows:
- 5:00 Mexico Middle School Jazz Band with Mr. Kevin Upcraft
- 6:00 Emalee Herrington
- 7:00 Mexico Brass Band
- 8:00 Joe Cortini and the Jazz Mafia
- 9:30 Fireworks presented by the Young Explosives
Parking this year in the parking lot at the Park will be restricted to staff, volunteers, musicians and other participants as well as handicapped people who cannot ride the shuttle. Visitors must park along the road (west side only) or in the field where parking attendants will direct parking. A free shuttle bus will run between the field parking lot and the Park from 3:30-10:30pm. The Sheriff will be present this year to help the parking attendants direct parking. Please be considerate.
More about the performers:
Emalee Herrington will open the concert with the Star Spangled Banner at 4:45. Emalee is a 20 year old singer/songwriter and a Mexico native who has been singing in Concerts at the Mexico Point Park since she was in Middle School. She is now a recorded artist with her own album, “Plans Change”, and another album in the works. She is delighted to be able to perform at Mexico Point Park with style of music that includes new and old, country, with pop mixed in. She will perform a set of her own at 6:00PM after the Mexico Middle School Jazz band who perform at 5:00PM. This group is made up of a select group of 7th and 8th grade musicians directed by Kevin Upcraft.
At 7:00PM The Mexico Brass will perform. Formed in 2005 by Bob LoForte as a brass ensemble, the group today is made up of mostly nonprofessional members who enjoy playing for community events. Their music covers a wide range of musical genres including traditional marches, movie and show tunes, swing, jazz, rock, and pop favorites.
At 8:00PM Joe Cortini and the Jazz Mafia will perform with featured vocalist Vanessa Vacanti. Vanessa is a mainstay on the Central New York jazz scene, with several high-profile performances at Syracuse and Fulton Jazz Festivals as well as club dates throughout Central New York. She frequently works with The Jazz Mafia Trio, which is her first call backing band. The synergy she creates with her band is electric, often found only after years of on-stage performance. She has it down and is able to lead both the band and the audience on a musical journey. The Jazz Mafia Trio, lead by drummer Joe Cortini is Syracuse’s favorite straight ahead jazz trio. WithDave Solazzo on piano and Matt Vacanti on bass, they are sure to bring you a swinging evening of live music.
Around 9:30PM the fireworks will begin, presented by Young Explosives from Rochester.
The Annual Concert and Fireworks event is brought to you by the Town of Mexico and the Friends of Mexico Point Park.
