POTSDAM -- A St. Lawrence County couple is organizing the first annual Ives Park Concert Series and seeks donations from the community.

Maggie and Matt McKenna are teaming up with What a Raquette Music and Dance (WARM’D), a nonprofit organization that promotes the efforts of musicians and dancers in the North Country, for the new concert series.

“This concert series will be the only one of its kind to extend the gorgeous North Country summer all the way through the month of September; though up here you might need a sweater,” according to Maggie McKenna.

They will present nine concerts and ten performing groups over eight Saturdays from Aug. 13 through Oct. 1, 2016. Performances will take place in the Ives Park Gazebo on the banks of the Raquette River in downtown Potsdam.

Musicians performing in this series are from Northern New York, and the musical styles will span a wide range from bluegrass to Latin to golden oldies, and there will even have a children’s concert.

While the series is for community members of all ages, it will run the in late summer to early fall when students from nearby colleges and universities have returned and can participate.

“The concert series will offer many benefits to the community especially connecting students and local residents, attracting visitors to local businesses, and showcasing local talent,” according to Maggie McKenna.

At this time, the series is in a crucial stage of development. The musicians are lined up already, but the McKennas and WARM’D started a campaign on Adirondack Gives to facilitate raising funds from individual community members.

They are also organizing a community awareness and fundraising concert during the winter that will include a raffle and music from other local musicians.

Visit http://adirondackgives.org/campaigns/ives-park-summer-concert-series/ to donate, or send or drop off donations to: Ives Park Concert Series Donations, ℅ Brick and Mortar Music, 15 Market St., Potsdam, NY 13676. Donations of any size are accepted, and donations are tax-deductible.

“It will expose the full potential of the beautiful waterfront location, the Gazebo at Ives Park during the only late summer concert series in the North Country,” she said.