GRAFTON — On Sunday, July 3, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VSO) will return to Grafton, after a two-year pandemic break, for the 30th time on its Summer Festival Tour. The grounds at Grafton Ponds will open for picnicking at 5:30 p.m., and the concert will begin at 7:30 p.m.
This year's program, aptly named “Celebrate!” will feature music from West Side Story, John Philip Sousa marches, the William Tell Overture, and beloved tunes by John Williams and Aaron Copland. The orchestra is conducted by Julian Pellicano and the VSO's principal trombonist Matthew Wright is the soloist.
The evening will conclude with a display of festive fireworks.
The fireworks are typically included in the VSO's budget for the Summer Festival Tour, but this year the cost became prohibitive, and the VSO said they could not absorb it. However, some local businesses, private individuals, and the Windham Foundation came to the rescue and pitched in, making Grafton the only venue on the Tour with fireworks.
Tickets are available at MKT in Grafton. They can also be purchased online at flynnvt.org. The ticket price for adults is $26 in advance and $35 at the gate. Tickets are $5 for children ages 6–17 and free for children under 5. Full information including the complete program can be found on vso.org.