BELLEVILLE POST
ESSEXNEWSDAILY.COM
Sept. 11: 20 years later
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De Pena takes oath
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Gearing up for football
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SEPTEMBER 2021
VOL. 35 NO. 32
Infernos bring the heat to Belleville By EmilyAnn Jackman Staff Writer Belleville residents braved the sizzling temperatures on Aug. 12 to attend an installment of the Belleville Summer Concert Series that brought a heat of its own. The Infernos delighted the large crowd, which also had the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the event, courtesy of the Essex County Mobile Health Clinic. Mayor Michael Melham, clearly having a great time at the event, praised the nineweek summer concert series. “It’s the first time in Belleville’s history that we’re having a summer concert series; it’s nine weeks long and we have top-notch entertainment here. Today we have the legendary Infernos,” Melham said Aug. 12 at the concert, explaining that the series began in July and was intended to run through August. Due to one rain cancellation, though, the series is actually extending into September, with a concert by Jersey Sounds on Thursday, Sept. 2, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The series’ final concert in August was scheduled to feature fireworks. “I think the weather cooling a bit after the storm we had at 5 p.m. brought out a few extra people,” Melham said, adding that he believes that day’s high temperature — about 100 degrees — kept some people away. Still, there were hundreds of people in attendance. In celebration of Belleville’s diversity, Melham explained that the concert series strived to have as diverse a slate of musicians as possible, performing salsa, Motown, classic rock, pop, R&B, party music and more. “The Infernos is one of the best bands around. They do the oldies, and it’s nice to get some of our seniors here and be able to get our residents that really enjoy this kind of music,” Melham said. “Throughout the nine weeks, we had about four or five oldies’ bands; two weeks ago, we had a Latin band that was salsa, where the township brought in professional dancers that danced, pulled people out and made them
Photos by EmilyAnn Jackman
Above, Belleville residents dance to the sweet sounds of The Infernos, who played Aug. 12 at the town’s summer concert series. Below, first responders attend the concert to ensure everyone’s safety.
participate. We had a Motown tribute. Next week is a country band, and then we’re right back to the oldies. So, it’s a very diverse group, and we’ve touched every demographic that we wanted to touch. “I think this is great. After a year and a half of COVID-19, people want to get outside,” he continued. “If we went inside, we probably wouldn’t have this crowd. People like the fact that they can come here, sit with their family, socially distance themselves if they’re comfortable doing so. I
think it’s a great service and it’s a great thing we can give our residents.” Essex County Mobile Health Clinic charge nurse Dawn Gibson and her team were also on hand to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to concertgoers who hadn’t yet been vaccinated but wanted to be. The mobile clinic also administered COVID testing, allowing participants to sign up online to receive their results, typically within 24 to 36 hours. See BELLEVILLE, Page 4