(MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ) -- The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders are pleased to announce the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) will kick off the 57th annual Summer Arts Festival Concert Series at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside on Friday June 22nd at 7:30pm.

Settle in under a starry sky and enjoy glorious Broadway songs and rousing opera overtures with the NJSO. Watch the fireflies dance along to the overture from Crazy for You and catch a glimpse of a shooting star during Rossini’s fiery overture to William Tell.

The show is free, and visitors are urged to pack a picnic basket, bring lawn chairs or blankets. Refreshments and snacks will also be available from vendors. As with all festival concerts throughout the Summer, attendees can also participate in Union County Get Fit Yoga program beginning at 6:30 p.m. Bring a mat or beach towel and participate in the healthy activities for the entire family. In the event of rain, the concert (only) will be held on the same date and time at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway.

“What a great way to kick off our summer of music with New Jersey’s own Orchestra bringing live symphonic music to our community,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “We encourage our residents to enjoy the music under the stars, and a memorable night of classical entertainment.”

Named “a vital, artistically significant musical organization” by The Wall Street Journal, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) embodies that vitality through its statewide presence and critically acclaimed performances, education partnerships and unparalleled access to music and the Orchestra’s superb musicians.

The NJSO presents classical, pops and family programs, as well as outdoor summer concerts and special events throughout the state.  

The other free concerts in the Union County Summer Arts Festival series are scheduled for Wednesday nights throughout July in Echo Lake and then in August at Oak Ridge Park in Clark.

Echo Lake Park (Mountainside)

June 22 - New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

July 11th - Black Dog (The Led Zeppelin Tribute)

July 18th - 5 Against 1 (Tribute to Pearl Jam)

July 25th - The Vinny’s / Katfish Lucy

Oak Ridge Park (Clark)

August 1st - JoBonanno & the Godsons of Soul

August 8th - American Rapture

August 15th - Brother John Brown (The Woodstock Era)

August 22nd - Dead On Live (The Grateful Dead Experience)

PHOTO: NJSO Violinists Fatima Aaziza and John Connelly. Photo by Tristan Cook