The Ritter Park Amphitheater, which was originally opened in September 1913, reopened after receiving a new look.
Kevin Brady, executive director of the Greater Huntington Parks and Recreation District, said the amphitheater has come a long way since it first opened more than a century ago.
“It was a flat spot surrounded by hilly grassy areas,” Brady said. “Back in those days there was no seating or proper stage area. In the early ‘70s a concrete pad was laid to serve as a stage and there were more improvements made in the ‘80s when the park district took over.”
The Ritter Park Amphitheater will begin its second season of the Ritter Live Concert series at the end of May.
The program is meant to showcase local talent from artists and musicians.
“Local musical talent will come out and perform onstage for the exposure,” Brady said. “Some of these young artists need to get comfortable in front of people.”
According to the GHPRD Facebook page, “they hope to expose the community to a great entertainment venue filled with music and community theater, and to promote the incredible talents of many local people. They hope the amphitheater will become a weekend destination for music and theater that more and more people can enjoy.”
Brady said he hopes to see a lot of community members at events this summer.
“The crowd turnout wasn’t what we had hoped for last summer because of the rain and that’s rightfully so,” Brady said. “This summer we hope the crowd multiplies.”
These events are free of charge, but donations are encouraged. These donations will go towards musical growth in the Huntington community.
Dates for Ritter Live are 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. May 31, July 5, Aug. 9, Sept. 13 and Oct. 4.
Sofie Wachtmeister can be contacted at [email protected].