COLTON – The Norwood Brass Firemen will kick off the Colton Summer Music Series June 28, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Old Fire Station on Riverside Drive.

The Norwood Volunteer Fire Department Band – commonly referred to as the Norwood Brass Firemen – is well-known for its “old time Dixieland jazz” style of music.

The band, founded in 1946, is comprised of volunteer musicians who perform in parades, concerts, and benefits to support volunteer fire and emergency services plus other functions of the community.

Well known in the area, the band also has traveled to more distant places, including Washington, DC, and Yugoslavia, to perform.

During its history over 150 men have volunteered their time to keep the band going strong.

Audience participants need to bring chairs or blankets for seating. Volunteers will be on hand to help people needing assistance.

An ice cream social will be provided by St. Patrick’s – St. Paul’s Altar Rosary Society.

Bathroom facilities will be available inside and outside the station.

There is no admission fee to attend the summer series which includes five more performances through the end of August: Jack Kelley’s Little Big Band on July 12, Don Woodcock & Gretchen Koehler on July 19, Northbound on Aug. 2, Big Papa & The Escape Key Band on Aug. 16, and New Horizons Band of Northern New York on Aug. 30.

These five performances will take place from 6-8 p.m. at various venues, including the Old Fire Station. The complete schedule, which reflects some recent changes, is now available on the town website www.townofcolton.com under News.

Performances are made possible in part with funds from the Decentralization Program—a regrant program of the state Council on the Arts, administered by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council. Plus six local businesses are supporting the series which highlights groups based in or with members from communities along the 174-mile long Raquette River -- Catamount Lodge & Forest LLC; Hide Away Café, Hoffman Eells & Gray CPAs; Paula Youmell / Wise Woman Nurse; Raquette River Pub; and S&L Electric.

Expenses also are covered through product sales and the raffle of painted barn quilts again this year.

Six barn quilts, featuring designs related to living and working in the community, will be displayed in the Colton Hepburn Library starting June 19 where tickets can be purchased. Tickets are 2 for $5; and only 100 tickets per barn quilt are available.

On June 28 a two-by-two foot barn quilt, valued at $125 and painted by CPCS student Lauren Buckley featuring a red and gold Crossed Canoes design, will be raffled.

The winning ticket will be announced at the end of the performance. Winners do not have to be present to win.

For more information about the summer music series call Scott Muller on the town’s Tourism & Beautification Committee at 315-244-9956.