Funk, soul and barbecue coming to Shepard Park Friday

The Lake George Volunteer Fire Department is firing up the grill in Shepard Park for its First Annual Chicken Barbecue fundraiser this Friday, July 7. The $10 per plate cost includes a ½ chicken, beans, macaroni salad, corn, rolls and a drink. The barbecue will begin at 5 p.m. and continue until 8 p.m., or until all the chicken is sold.

Tickets may be purchased in advance from members of the Lake George Fire Department and the Auxiliary. Prepaid dinners will be ready for drive-up pickup at the park for those who prefer to take it home. In the event of rain, the barbecue will be moved to the Lake George firehouse on Ottawa Street. Dinner will be served alongside the live music of Fridays at the Lake Bands & Brews.

Bobby Dick and Suzy Q will open the Fridays at the Lake show at 6 p.m. The duo is an institution in the area, entertaining audiences with pop tunes, fine harmonies and fun banter. Bobby Dick is a regular on the Shepard Park stage, performing at the Super Sundays shows during the summer and hosting the Village of Lake George’s holiday celebration Lite up the Village, which is held in November.

Funk/soul band West End Blend takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. The Hartford, Connecticut-based group brings funk and soul, influenced by jazz, Latin and hip-hop, to the stage with powerful vocalist Erica Bryan backed by horns, guitars and keyboard.

Fridays at the Lake Bands & Brews, which brings free concerts to Lake George’s Shepard Park throughout the summer, includes a beer and wine tent, food trucks and bounce houses for the kids. The free concert series is organized by concert promotion company WillJam productions and Improv Records with support from the Village and Town of Lake George.

Shepard Park is a smoke-free, dog-friendly venue with a beach on Lake George and a children’s playground. The amphitheatre has natural stone seating. Visitors to the park may wish to bring a camp chair or blanket for additional seating. Metered parking is available on nearby streets and in public and private parking lots.