Coronavirus: Centerville cancels concerts days before opening

The city’s summer concert series at Stubbs Park Amphitheater has been canceled just days before its planned opening, Centerville officials announced Thursday.

The series was set to begin Sunday under several restrictions due to COVID-19, but would have included beer sales for the first time.

Centerville officials said a state clarification in its most recent order classifying Montgomery County as a “very high exposure and spread” area is causing the city to cancel the seven-week series until or if the current order is lifted.

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The Ohio Department of Health told Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County “that all mass gatherings in its region should be cancelled indefinitely,” according to the Centerville announcement.

“We were determined not to default to cancellation of our concerts and events, and we invested considerable time and resources trying to make these events possible. While we are disappointed, we are committed to doing our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Centerville City Manager Wayne Davis said in a statement released by the city.

Working extensively with local health officials, the city said it had revised a plan in recent weeks to present a condensed series. COVID-19 guidelines included limiting attendees to designated areas and requiring reservations.

“The city spent months working with Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County to craft a thoughtful plan with the intention of protecting attendees’ and employees’ health while fostering community involvement,” according to the Centerville announcement.

Centerville had planned to allow beer sales at the concerts for the first time after the city council in November approved the measure for alcohol sales at sanctioned events.

“We understand the significance of preventing further spread of COVID-19,” Mayor Brooks Compton said in the city’s announcement. “Beyond protecting our residents and neighbors, we must do everything we can to keep the economy open and to support our local businesses, which have already seen a tremendous negative impact from the pandemic.”

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This year’s concert series lineup included:

•July 12: Brass Tracks

•July 19: The Menus

•July 26: The Blue Leafs

•Aug. 2: The Fries Band

•Aug. 9: Tom Daugherty Orchestra

•Aug. 16: Elvis Tribute with Ryan Roth

•Aug. 23: The Rock Show Journey Tribute.

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About the Author

Nick Blizzard

Nick Blizzard is a staff writer for the Dayton Daily News. He is a graduate of Stebbins High School who earned a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University and its E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. Nick is a Riverside native and has been a journalist in the Dayton area for more than 20 years.