By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jesse@thevillagereporter.com
The 60th season of the Harrison Lake Gospel Drive-In is kicking off its final year at its current location this weekend.
Bluegrass Praise will perform at 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 2 at the property at the intersection of County Road M and County Road 26-1. Additional concerts follow every Sunday through the end of August.
“The owners told us it is going to be the last year, the land had to be sold,” Sherman Hathaway said.
Hathaway has been running the gospel drive-in with his wife Linda for eight years, along with help from Nate Hardy.
“He’s a young, stronger man who helps get us set up, and we really appreciate that so much,” he said of Hardy.
While it may be the final year for the location, the drive-in will live on in a new home just around the corner – roughly one mile west and one mile south at the West Franklin United Methodist Church.
“It won’t be quite the same as at the lake,” he said. “I was there in 1967 myself, in the early part of my music career.”
With the changing location, Hathaway and his wife are also letting go of the reins. In addition to being the last year for the location, it’s also their last year.
Hathaway has been involved since he first started helping Pastor Joe Redmond, who had inherited the event.
“We’re just happy to be a part of it, we wish we could continue longer, but everything has its due date I guess,” he said. “I’m glad I was able to help while I could.”
Hathaway shared his excitement for the year’s lineup and thanked the community for its support throughout the years.
After this weekend’s kickoff, the drive-in will feature performances by Gene Zenz on June 9, Bill Beck on June 16, Trinity-Van Wert on June 23, Trinity-Wauseon on June 30, the Lockport Praise Band on July 7, Restoration on July 14, Souls Harbor on July 21, Jerry Garcia on July 28, Sullivan and Jan Rosario on August 4, Bill Pogue and The Gospel Girls on August 11, and Bill and The Boys on August 18 before the finale by the Steve Raymond Family on August 25.
Concessions will be offered by the West Franklin United Methodist Church, and freewill offerings collected at each event. For more information, call (419)551-8311.
