Council Members Praise 2012 ConcertFest Series

Members of Manchester's Township Council offered praise for the work several departments put in to running a four-concert series this summer. 

The final of the concerts on Aug. 20 drew a large crowd, said Council Vice President Brendan Weiner at the governing body's meeting last week. He estimated that about 7,000 people came out to hear Rave On and Kenny Vance and the Planotones perform. 

"It was really well attended," Weiner said.

"I was amazed. I got there late, and I couldn't believe the number of people that were there," said Councilmember Warren Reiter, adding that by his estimate the previous concerts had about half the number of attendees.

As the last of four outings at Harry Wright Lake this year, Department of Recreation Office Manager Cassandra Colgate said before the concert that a large turnout was expected.

Weiner thanked Colgate and her staff, public works employees and the police department for their help with running the concerts at the Whiting recreation spot. 

"They just do a phenomenal job of putting on these events," he said. 

Both bands "were really good," Weiner said. "It was a really nice night. If you haven't attended a ConcertFest — moving forward we'll do it again next year — try to get out there and take advantage of what our community has to offer."

"The serenity of the place was really wonderful, plus they had two very good groups," Reiter said. "It was very heartfelt thinking on my part that so many people would show up."

Weiner, who also is a member of the Lakehurst/Manchester Rotary, said that the organization raised $1,900 selling 50/50 raffle tickets at the event. Of that, 25 percent goes back to the community to help support charities and a scholarship fund, Weiner said. 

The first in the series of concerts was held on June 30 and also featured an Independence Day celebration, complete with fireworks.