Mike Samoraj has found the proverbial stone.
To showcase Van Buren Park, the local destination will play host to a tribute concert beginning at 6 p.m. this Friday with ticket sales from the event benefiting local youth organizations all while providing an improved experience for Kiwanis golf tournament participants.
As the long-time chairperson of the Baldwinsville Kiwanis For Kids Golf event, Samoraj has wanted to improve the fundraiser by adding musical entertainment and food for participants.
“I like the idea of having good music to listen to while we eat our steak and consume adult beverages. After all, it is expected to be a fun day out, and for the $85 entry fee for the golf event, I want the good people who participate to get there monies worth,” he said.
To achieve his vision, however, the venue had to be moved from Foxfire Golf Course after the tournament as to not disturb other golfers. That’s when he learned about efforts made to improve exposure of Van Buren Park, which is right down the street from Foxfire.
“Van Buren Park has all the amenities we needed to make [the steak bake and our concert] work,” Samoraj said.
The Kiwanis took it a step further turning the entertainment portion of the event into a concert open to the public with ticket sales benefiting Baldwinsville booster clubs.
“The Baldwinsville Kiwanis is all about helping children and has contributed needed money to many of the Baldwinsville Booster clubs as they deal with reduced funding and higher expenses,” Samoraj said.
Now known as the first annual Kiwanis Concert in the Park, the June 1 event will feature two tribute bands: The Fab Cats performing hits by The Beatles and The Jamie Notarthomas Band playing songs by Bruce Springsteen. Pre-sale ticket prices are $7.50 and booster clubs can keep $5 from each ticket sold.
“We are allowing the various booster clubs to sell tickets and keep a lion’s share of the proceeds for their needs,” Samoraj said.
Pre-sale tickets are also available at Sammy Malone’s, Pizza Man Pub, Sal’s Pizza, Twin Tree’s in Baldwinsville and Olympia Sports in Tops Plaza. Tickets will be $10 the day of the event and will be available at the gate.
“We anticipate continuing this event for many years to come and would continue to allow the local booster clubs to participate in this fund raising activity as it appears to be a win-win for all of us,” Samoraj said.
