NORWICH – The Summer of 2016 marks an exciting change up to the NBT Bank Summer Concert Series’ free Thursday summer concerts held in East Park in downtown Norwich.

For 2016, the Chenango Blues Association through the generous corporate support of NBT Bank of Norwich will expand upon the free Thursday concert series to include every Thursday July through August.

Live from the East Park sound stage, the first of eight shows will welcome back country-rockers New Riders of the Purple Sage who have become an annual staple to the organization's roster drawing crowds from up and down the east coast. With ties to the original line up the Grateful Dead, New Riders boast a ubiquitous and relatable set list that compliments the gathering of a diverse, tight-knit music community.

Also new for this season, a kick-off block party style celebration complete with free hot dogs and hamburgers courtesy of the Norwich Rotary, free ice cream from Gilligan’s of Sherburne served by the Norwich Cheer Team and free maple sugar cotton candy from Baker’s Maple Syrup has been organized by Chenango Blues Association members. Those added extras will be available to all who attend beginning at 6:30 p.m. until supplies are gone.