(PHOTO BY JESSIE DAVIS / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
SONGS IN THE SUNSHINE … Attendees at the Harrison Lake Gospel Drive-In enjoy a beautiful summer evening outside, serenaded by the musical stylings of Wauseon residents Sullivan and Jane Rosario Sunday evening.
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jesse@thevillagereporter.com
Perfect weather and music for the Lord were the backdrop for attendees at the Harrison Lake Gospel Drive-In Sunday evening.
Wauseon’s Sullivan and Jane Rosario performed Christian hits including “Freedom” by Jesus Culture, “Ancient Gates” by Brooke Fraser, and “Great Aree You Lord” by All Sons and Daughters during their more than hour-long performance.
More than 20 vehicles carrying several dozen people showed up for the concert, one of the last in this, the event’s 60th season.
It will be the last year the event will take place at its long-time home at the intersection of County Road M and County Road 26-1, as the property has been or is in the process of being sold.
The concerts will return next year, albeit in a new location with a slightly different, as-of-yet undetermined name according to Monica Smith, with West Franklin Community Church. The church has served as the rain location for the concerts and will now be the permanent home for the event.
“We thought they weren’t going to have it this year and we were going to have it at our church,” Smith said.
“Then Linda and Sherman said ‘No, it will be here this year, but this will be the last year. We’re going to be done, we’re ready to retire from this as well.’ So, we said would it be okay if we take it on and they said that would be awesome.”
Smith said they have a concept for a new name which has not yet been finalized. “We’re going to tweak the name a little bit, because it’s not at Harrison Lake, and obviously it’s not a drive-in,” she said.
Remaining performances this year include Bob Pogue and The Gospel Girls on August 11, Bill and The Boys on August 18, and the Steve Raymond Family on August 25. The final performance is expected to include special guests and other surprises, according to Smith.