Thousands Show Up To Enjoy Concert On The Madison Green: "Largest Crowd In Memory"

Thousands of picnickers and music lovers showed up Saturday evening to enjoy the annual Concert on the Madison Green.

Presented by Madison Cultural Arts, the concert is a hugely popular annual event that kicks off the event-packed Fourth of July weekend in Madison and that, for many, marks the official start of summer.

The town green was packed from end to end and side to side with people enjoying picnics, both simple and elaborate. Madison Cultural Arts Volunteer and Secretary Duo Dickinson estimated the crowd was several thousand people. It was hard to get an exact estimate because the event was free. "I'd say it was several thousand or more," Dickinson said. "It was the largest crowd in memory."

Dickinson, like many of the other volunteers with MCA worked from every early in the morning until late at night on Saturday, in addition to the time spent planning the event, to make the concert a success. People who were key organizers included Dickinson, his wife, Liz Dickinson who is co-president of MCA with Bill Brown, Treasurer Andrew DiBiccari, Summer Concert Chair Rich Evens, and event organizers Jill Davidge, Frank Kling, Vitty O'Toole, Kathleen Bidney-Singewald, Dean Singewald, and Patricia Snyder.

The Shoreline Youth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by William and Ann Clemmons, started the evening at 5 p.m. The orchestra featured many Madison residents, including recent graduates of Daniel Hand High School.

After a brief interlude marked by soothing classical music, The Ancient Mariners, a Fife and Drum Corps, shook things up several blasts of their cannon. After marching up the center walkway through the crowds, they entertained the crowd with a series of melodies, chanteys and other nautical music.

The Wallingford Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Madison's own Philip T. Ventre, then took the stage. Musical selections started with the Star Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful, and included the Crown Imperial March from the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Armed Forces Salute, the 1812 overture, Op. 39, Stars and Stripes Forever, and selections from Pirates of the Caribbean, and Les Miserables.

At intermission, the Mariachi Academy of Connecticut, with Evangeline Mendoza Bourgeois directing, entertained the crowd.

As the sun set, the picnickers and party goers lit up their citronella candles, candelabras, sparklers, and multi-colored light sabers. Some of the children danced, among the adults there was talking and laughter, and, after God Bless America, the crowd dispersed to get a good night's sleep before the parties and fireworks on Sunday, and the parade on Monday.

If you missed it, or if you were there and you miss it already, be sure to mark the date for next year, Saturday, June 30, 2012. Want to help out? Contact Madison Cultural Arts by calling Rich Evans at 203-215-4362 or Duo Dickinson at 203-245-0405. You can also reach them through the mail at PO Box 67, Madison, CT 06443. Madison Cultural Arts also sponsors a Winter Concert, The Sculpture Mile, and it helped save Madison Cinemas, now know as Madison Arts Cinemas.

This year's corporate sponsor was Guilford Savings Bank. The Premier Patron was the Town Of Madison, Major Benefactors were Jack and Helen Davis.

(More photos and a video will be uploaded later this weekend. You are welcome to upload yours as well!)