By Nikki Burkhamer

Staff Writer

As the sun settled behind the towering trees surrounding Mac-A-Cheek Castle, hundreds of community members unfolded lawn chairs, spread blankets across the grass and gathered for a tradition that has become one of Logan County's cherished summer events.

The West Central Ohio Community Concert Band (WCOCCB) closed out its summer concert series with a performance that celebrated America 250, honoring the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary while bringing together generations of local residents through the universal language of music.

The evening's program Sunday, Aug. 9, was as diverse as the crowd itself. Patriotic favorites stirred feelings of gratitude and pride. Jazz selections had toes tapping across the lawn. Classic rock-and-roll hits from the 1960s sparked memories as audience members sang along under the warm summer sky.

Yet beyond the music, the concert was really about something deeper: community.

Families gathered with neighbors. Former band members returned to listen. Children played in the grass while grandparents reminisced about years past. Against the breathtaking backdrop of Mac-A-Cheek Castle, the sounds of brass, woodwinds and percussion echoed across the grounds, creating a scene that felt uniquely Logan County.

For band director Joe Antram, the concert represented a lifetime connection to the community he calls home.

"Well, you know, I'm born and raised in Logan County, and music is so important to so many people," Antram said following the performance. "I'm old enough that I remember the Bicentennial. I was a junior in college at that time, and here we are 50 years later."

As the nation approaches its semiquincentennial celebration, Antram said the theme provided an opportunity to reflect on the blessings often taken for granted.

"Recognizing everything about our community, our state, our nation, and recognizing all the great things that we have to enjoy, it's such a blessing," he said. "It's a great expression of appreciation to the Lord for all the blessings that we have every day. The freedoms that we enjoy are certainly precious, and tonight's program did a good job of recognizing that."

The large turnout was evidence that the band's mission continues to resonate throughout the region.

"There were a lot of people here," Antram noted. "We so much appreciate Margaret Piatt for inviting us and allowing us to use her facilities because the West Liberty area, and in fact this whole side of the county, shows us that so many people come and really enjoy the castle concert experience."

That experience would not be possible without the generosity of Piatt, whose family home, Mac-A-Cheek Castle, serves as the picturesque setting for the annual summer concert.

Piatt said the event remains one of her favorite traditions each year.

"Well, it just makes me happy every year," she said. "A lot of our staff are always excited when they get to be here. It's a fabulous band, the setting is beautiful, and the acoustics are outstanding."

The natural landscape surrounding the castle plays its own role in the experience.

"The trees just send the sound back," Piatt said with a smile. "And we just always hope it doesn't rain."

Fortunately, the weather cooperated once again, allowing guests to enjoy an evening that seemed almost tailor-made for outdoor music.

As the final notes drifted into the evening air, audience members lingered rather than rushing to leave. Friends stopped to visit. Musicians packed away instruments while accepting congratulations from family members and longtime supporters. Moments like these are what make community bands special.

The dedicated and talented musicians of the West Central Ohio Community Concert Band are local residents. They are teachers, retirees, business owners, farmers, healthcare workers and students who volunteer their time because they love music and love sharing it with their neighbors.

Sunday evening, that love was evident in every piece that was performed. As America celebrates 250 years of history, the concert served as a reminder that the nation's greatest strength can be found in places like Logan County: communities where people support one another and create something meaningful. ■