POTSDAM -- The Ives Park Concert Series continues Saturday, Sept. 17, with a children’s concert with Animal Crackers at 3 p.m. and a rock concert with Double Axel in Ives Park at 7 p.m.

The concert will be held rain or shine. A tent will be on site to keep people dry if there is rain.

There will be face painting at the children's concert and ice cream sundaes from Stewart's Shops. Everything is free, but donations will be accepted.

Animal Crackers has been making music for children of all ages since 2009. Playing songs that encourage audience participation in the form of dancing or singing has always been the goal.

Featuring Dan Sullivan-Catlin, Tom Baker, Frank McLaughlin, Beth Robinson and Matt Bullwinkle, Animal Crackers will play songs you've grown up with and songs you've never heard.

The set list might include covers from a range of artists including Paul Simon to Laurie Berkner to the Beatles, and throw in some original music for good measure.

North Country favorites Double Axel will hit the stage later in the evening and play.

In the fall of 1966, Frank Johns transferred into Potsdam State from a community college. He soon became a member of "Paul Lee and the Walkers". That same semester Alex Vangellow entered Clarkson and eventually became the bass player for the band "Family Dog."

In the fall of 1968 the "Family Dog" disbanded and Alex became the guitar player for "Paul Lee and the Walkers". Drummers came and left until Pete took over and settled in. "Paul Lee and the Walkers" played many college gigs in the 1968 college year. The summer of 1969 found Alex, Pete and Frank remaining together as "The Walkers" with Paul Lee and Frank Messina heading home for the summer. For a year and a half, "The Walkers" worked as a three-piece group with Pete on drums, Frank on bass and Alex alternating between keyboards and guitar. Constantly reminded of the possibility of military draft leading to Viet Nam, the band played on. During those years, "The Walkers" became part of a rock album with other Potsdam-area groups.

The Walkers decided that they needed to add a full-time guitar player in the fall of 1970. Rob Zolner, who had entered Potsdam in 1969, was playing guitar with the group "Bach's Lunch". In 1971, the other three snaked Rob away from "Bach's Lunch" (the circumstances of that transaction will never be revealed); he became the fourth member and a driving force of the group. A name change occurred and Double Axel was born in the cellar of Theta Chi fraternity. F.R.A.P. lived! Double Axel did manage to record a 2-band album with their friends "Badmouth".

In 1973, Peter decided to take a teaching position in Longmeadow Massachusetts. Rick Rock, who was gigging in Boston, returned to take over the drums. DK came through again. For the next 9 years, Double Axel played many college, nightclub and high school gigs throughout New York State.

In 1982, Rick Rock decided to hang up his sticks and pick up the golf clubs. Brian Tupper, a Canton boy and long time friend, took over the skins. The band recorded 2 full length albums while Brian was behind the drums. The Double Axel studio was located in Canton.

Brian retired from rock and roll in 1991. The band almost called it a career. A change was needed to breathe life into the sound. Patti Perry was introduced as another lead singer for Double Axel. Alex then became the full-time drummer. For 4 years, the band continued to play with a female vocalist. The sound was interesting and different. In 1995, Patti decided to start a family and retired from the road. At that point Alex, Rob and Frank decided to continue to play as a trio.

From the glory of playing for the athletes of the 1980 Winter Olympic Games to sticking to the floor of the sleaziest fraternity house cellar, these guys have seen it all.

The rest of the schedule is as follows: Sept. 24, 7p.m., lineup of local songwriters; Oct. 1, 7p.m., Phil Hurley.

More info: http://www.mckennasdenmusic.com/ivesparkmusic or https://www.facebook.com/ivesparkconcertseries/?fref=nf.