The Salem Summer Concert Series Committee has announced the 2026 Summer Concert Series beginning 6 p.m. June 7. Shown from left are Summer Concert Series Committee members Mike Firtzman, John Panezott, Jan Cox, Geni Wendel, Don Yeasted, BJ Abrams; and concert series volunteers Wayne Hawkins, Connie Cranmer, Betty Brothers and Rick Berg. Not pictured is volunteer Rita O’Leary. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

SALEM — The Salem Summer Concert Committee and the Salem Parks and Recreation Department are excited to provide free concerts at Waterworth Memorial Park again this summer as part of the annual Summer Concert Series.

The 2026 series is set to begin 6 p.m. June 7 with the Quaker City Band performing music with the theme “Celebrating Rodgers and Hammerstein” under the direction of Bob Barnett, followed by contemporary hits of the 60s, 70s, and 80s by Pipe Dreams at 6 p.m. on June 14, and the Chardon Polka Band at 6 p.m. on June 21.

This year’s series also features two special concerts, with New Wave Nation featuring at the Salem Alumni Night Concert at 6 p.m. Aug. 9 alongside the “Cars of the Decades” display; while the New Frontiers will perform favorites by Journey at 6 p.m. Aug. 16, with a showcase from the Mahoning Valley Corvette Club.

This year’s slate of concerts features a variety of genres including classic rock, pop, country and polka music.

All concerts are free to the public and made possible by contributions from local businesses, individuals and cultural grants from Salem Community Foundation’s Charles F. Fox Memorial Fund, the Pearce Foundation, City of Salem and the Tourism Advisory Board of Salem. All donors are recognized in the weekly programs.

Parking for the concerts is available at Memorial Park’s Sunset Boulevard entrance accessible from North Lincoln Avenue and is also available off the Superior Avenue entrance with limited handicap accessible parking.

As always concert attendees are reminded to bring their own lawn chairs and choose their spot in the amphitheater-style seating and are encouraged to follow the Salem Summer Concert Series on the “Salem Ohio Concerts” Facebook page for additional information. Information about the bands and their music will also be published weekly in the newspaper.

All concerts will be at 6 p.m. Sunday with the exception of the July 24 concert by the Quaker City Band which will begin at 7 p.m. All concerts will be held at the Orashan Memorial Civic Center, commonly called the “band shell.” The full 2025 concert schedule includes:

— Sunday, June 7, 6 p.m., Salem Quaker City Band, “Celebrating Rodgers and Hammerstein.”

–Sunday, June 14, 6 p.m., Pipe Dreams, Contemporary hits of the 60s, 70s, and 80s.

–Sunday, June 21, 6 p.m., the Chardon Polka Band, “the most feared and powerful polka band in the industry.”

–Sunday, June 28, 6 p.m., Salem Quaker City Band, “Happy Birthday America.”

–Sunday, July 12, 6 p.m., Swingtime Big Bad, the big band sounds of Glen Miller and Tommy Dorsey.

–Sunday, July 219, 6 p.m., Aftermath, Music from the 60s.

–Friday, July 24, 7 p.m., Salem Quaker City Band, “A Tribute to John Williams.”

–Sunday, July 26, 6 p.m., Full Circle, the best of southern and classic rock.

–Sunday, August 2, 6 p.m., Jimmy and the Soul Blazers, “a high energy show of Motown music.”

–Sunday, August 9, 6 p.m., Salem High School Alumni Night, New Wave Nation, “1980s Show Experience,” and “Cars of the Decades” Display.

–Sunday, August 16, 6 p.m., Paige Marie Band, “an entertaining blend of pop, rock and country.”

–Sunday, August 23, 6 p.m., New Frontiers, performing the music of Journey featuring “Mahoning Valley Corvette Club” display.

mahart@mojonews.com